Around 40 inmates moved after HMP Wandsworth prison break

The 21-year-old escaped from the prison on Wednesday morning and has since been arrested and remains in police custody.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk spoke to Sky News this morning (September 10) and was quizzed about the prison break.

Daniel Khalife escaped HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday morning (Image: Metropolitan Police/PA)

He told Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “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.”

Protocols were in place at HMP Wandsworth but were they followed?

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said an investigation has suggested that HMP Wandsworth did have the correct security protocols and staff in place at the time of Daniel Khalife’s escape.

Discussing preliminary findings of a review he issued, Mr Chalk told Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips the investigation has looked into whether protocols were in place relating to the unloading of food from a van and searching the delivery vehicle.

“Those protocols were in place, point one,” he said.

“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 said he will set out the terms of reference “next week” of the separate independent investigation to ensure that the conclusions are “rock solid”.

A national manhunt for terror suspect Daniel Khalife lasted around 75 hours after his escape on Wednesday morning.

He was found and arrested by a plain-clothed officer at 10.41am on Saturday.

Khalife remains in police custody and an investigation into how he escaped has been launched.