Judge halts walkout by 10,000 prison guards as ministers fear jail riots

A WALKOUT by prison staff was halted by the High Court after the Government warned the illegal strike, called by Left-wing union supporters of Jeremy Corbyn, would result in riots.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) had directed all its members to stop working yesterday and join a day of protest after talks with the Government broke down.

Before being ordered back to work at 5pm, up to 10,000 prison guards had joined the protest, causing widespread disruption in court business as defendants could not be produced for hearings. At London’s Old Bailey, nine out of 18 trials were halted – including that of Thomas Mair, who is accused of murdering MP Jo Cox.

The POA action was branded “unnecessary and unlawful” by Justice Secretary Liz Truss, who took an urgent application for an injunction to restrain the union to the High Court.

In granting the injunction, Mr Justice Kerr said there was evidence 80 per cent of staff had taken some sort of action. He said: “A number of incidents have occurred in prisons today and the situation is very concerning indeed.”

The union announced the demonstration at midnight on Monday amid claims the service was “in meltdown”. The POA’s lawyer cited a series of incidents in the past two weeks including 14 hostage situations, 30 assaults on officers and 13 absconds, attempted escapes or escapes.

Earlier this month, prisoners caused almost £1 million in damage in a riot at Bedford prison. In October, two men were arrested on suspicion of murdering Pentonville inmate Jamal Mahmoud.

However, the government accused the POA of “seeking to take over the control of jails from governors”. Daniel Stilitz QC said with “each hour that goes by with the prisons unmanned”, the “danger” was “ramping up”.

Shadow justice secretary, Richard Burgon, told the Commons that the protest was “the clearest sign yet of the fact that this is a crisis”.

Steve Gillan, POA general secretary, said the protest was a “cry for help” and he added: “Isn’t it sad we had to resort to such action?” The union supported Mr Corbyn for Labour leader last year and confirmed its support for him in the summer leadership contest.