Forty inmates moved from Wandsworth jail after Daniel Khalife escape
orty prisoners have been moved out of Wandsworth jail following the escape of Daniel Khalife, the Justice Secretary has stated.
Former soldier, Khalife, escaped from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday morning by strapping himself to the underside of a supply lorry after leaving the jail kitchen in a cook dinner’s uniform.
A frantic four-day manhunt was quickly launched to search out the 21-year-old who was awaiting trial after allegedly planting a pretend bomb at an RAF base and gathering info that is perhaps helpful to terrorists or enemies of the UK.
After confirmed overnight sightings, the Met Police arrested Khalife on Saturday morning.
Speaking following Khalife’s arrest, Alex Chalk instructed Sky News that a variety of prisoners have been moved whereas an investigation is undertaken.
He stated: “Out of an abundance of caution some prisoners there, some of those on remand, have been moved (this week).
“Additional resources have of course gone into Wandsworth, so there’s additional governor support, a former governor with particular expertise in security.
“But also, out of an abundance of caution, around 40 prisoners have been moved just while we get to the bottom of what took place in Wandsworth. That is a sensible, precautionary measure.”
Mr Chalk went additional to say that an investigation has regarded into whether or not protocols have been in place referring to the unloading of meals from a van and looking the supply car.
“Those protocols were in place, point one,” he stated.
“And point two, the relevant security staff were also in place. Plainly what we’ve yet to establish is whether those protocols were followed.”
He stated he’ll set out the phrases of reference “next week” of the separate impartial investigation to make sure that the conclusions are “rock solid”.
Khalife was apprehended as he cycled via Chiswick on Saturday by a plain garments police officer.
Commander Dominic Murphy, the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism chief, stated the phobia suspect “was arrested in Rowdell Road, UB5 in London on the canal towpath”.
He added: “He was actually arrested by a plain clothes officer… and he was riding a pedal cycle so a pushbike at the time, was pulled off that pushbike by that officer and arrested at that location.
“Upon being detained by the officer he was fully co-operative and handcuffed and arrested.”
Asked if police suppose there are different individuals concerned, Mr Murphy stated he was “open minded” concerning the chance.
He stated: “Clearly we are moving resources now into that investigation.
“I should say while the manhunt was ongoing, that the investigation continued the whole time and of course, as part of being open minded, if anyone did help or support Daniel in his escape, either before, during or after, they will form part of our investigation.”