Brawl in prison injures officers

Four prison officers were injured at a high security jail when inmates tried to torch a terrorist's cell.

Fighting broke out at HMP Frankland in Durham after a cell was set alight and three prisoners attacked another inmate.

It is believed the cell was that of convicted al-Qaeda terrorist Kamel Bourgass, who is serving life for the murder of Special Branch detective Stephen Oake, 40.

The 34-year-old Algerian escaped injury in the blaze but a British prisoner was slashed across the face with a home-made knife in retaliation, it was reported.

Prison officers attempted to break up the brawl and several were injured as fighting inmates turned on them, one suffered a broken arm.

Prison Officers' Association spokesman Steve Cox told the Evening Chronicle in Newcastle: "There is an ongoing problem at Frankland, borne out of terrorist prisoners being housed with other prisoners."

A Prison Service spokeswoman confirmed there had been a cell fire and fighting between prisoners at the jail.

She said: "Due to staff's swift and courageous response the incident was quickly resolved. Four members of staff and two prisoners required hospital treatment.

"The matter has been referred to the police for investigation."

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