KC to lead review into Manchester Arena plotter Abedi’s prison attack

The government has appointed Jonathan Hall KC to lead a “prompt” review into how Manchester Arena plotter Hashem Abedi was able to carry out a violent attack on four prison officers.

Abedi, 28, who was jailed for life for helping his brother carry out the 2017 bombing, targeted staff at HMP Frankland last month with boiling oil and homemade weapons in a planned ambush.

Mr Hall, who is the current Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, will chair the inquiry into the incident.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the review would examine the operation of separation centres – units designed to manage the most dangerous extremist prisoners – and whether they were fit for purpose.

She said she would “do whatever it takes to protect our brave prison officers”.

“I have asked for the review to report back promptly, and to leave no stone unturned so we can prevent such an incident ever happening again,” Mahmood said.

The review will consider whether changes were needed in how extremist offenders are placed into separation centres.

It will also assess whether the right balance is being struck between security and long-term offender management.

The inquiry is expected to produce recommendations to improve safety and reduce the risk of similar attacks.

Abedi was transferred from HMP Frankland, in Durham, to Belmarsh prison in south-east London following the attack, which left three officers with serious injuries, last month.

Twenty-two people died in the Manchester Arena bombing, with hundreds more injured.

The prison attack triggered outrage among survivors and victims’ families.

Martin Hibbert, who was left with life-changing injuries, said in an open letter to the justice secretary that the incident represented a “catastrophic failure” to protect both staff and the public.

Families of five of those killed also demanded Abedi be stripped of privileges and denied access to anything that could be used as a weapon.

Prison Officers’ Association chairman Mark Fairhurst said staff at Frankland were “traumatised” and “angry”.

The justice secretary’s announcement comes days after Southport killer Axel Rudakubana allegedly attacked a prison officer inside HMP Belmarsh.

The officer had boiling water thrown over them.