Terror police investigate prison warder attack after Muslim inmates were 'asked to pray for murdered Lee Rigby'

Counter-terrorism police are investigating a brutal attack by three Muslim inmates on a prison warder after an imam reportedly called on them to pray for murdered soldier Lee Rigby.
The trio snatched the warder from E-wing at Full Sutton prison, near York, and held him hostage during a four-hour stand-off with guards.
The terrified victim, who is in his 30s, was locked in a cleaning room where he was apparently beaten with mop handles and told he was going to die.

Hostage crisis: A prison warder was reportedly snatched by three Muslim inmates at Full Sutton Prison, York before being beaten senseless for four hours

The prison's National Tactical Response Group were called and eventually managed to free him and he was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
A prison source told the Daily Mirror: 'The fear was that the gang had somehow got hold of knives from the prison kitchen and they would attempt to behead him.

'By the time the attack finished the officer was covered in bruises and blood. He feels very lucky to be alive. He was told they would kill him.'
The investigation into the attack has been taken over by West Yorkshire police's North East Counter Terrorism Unit (NECTU).

Flashpoint: The incident is thought to have been sparked when a prison imam called for Muslim inmates to pray for murdered British soldier Lee Rigby

A spokeswoman for NECTU said: 'Two prison officers, one male and one female, sustained injuries as a result of the incident.

'The female prison officer received only minor injuries and the male prison officer received a broken cheekbone.

'Both have received treatment for their injuries and have since been discharged.
'Given the potential nature of incident and the range of skills and expertise within the North East CTU, the Unit is leading the investigation at this time.'
The three prisoners, two aged 25 and the other 26, were thought to have become enraged following a prison imam’s call for Muslim inmates to pray for soldier Lee Rigby, who was stabbed to death by extremists last week.

Attack: Drummer Rigby was killed on the street in Woolwich, south London when Michael Adebolajo launched his attack

The warder hostage was said to have been battered senseless by the gang who threatened to pour caustic toilet cleaner in his eyes.
Prison authorities were reportedly concerned that they had managed to get hold of knives from the kitchens which they would use to behead their captive.
Michael Spurr, chief executive of the National Offender Management Service, confirmed the prison officer was forcibly taken hostage by three prisoners.
He said: 'This was a serious incident and my first thought is with the officer who was taken hostage - we will do all we can to help him recover from this experience.
'I want to commend all staff involved for their great courage and professionalism.'
Full Sutton Prison houses dozens of extremist prisoners and there has been recent concern about the spread of radical Islam behind its walls.
In March inspectors warned about growing tensions at the prison.

Michael Adebowale, 22, of Greenwich, south-east London, with a knife in his hand at the scene where Lee Rigby was stabbed to death

In 2009 an escape plot was uncovered which involved hi-jacking a helicopter and landing it in the prison grounds to free nine Muslim inmates.
Yesterday tensions were inflamed further after Islamic graffiti was daubed over war memorials.
There have been several attacks on mosques including an arson attack at an Islamic Cultural centre in Grimsby.
Ten people have now been held for questioning in connection with the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby who was attacked on a street in Woolwich, London.
Suspects Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michaeal Adebolwale, 22, are in hospital after being shot by police at the scene.
Officers have said they will not be questioned until they have recovered from their injuries.

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