Adebolajo 'pushed into window'

Peter McParlin, chairman of the Prison Officers Association has said that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) should not have allowed their response to an alleged violent jail incident involving Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo to "run on for two days".

Jeremiah Adebolajo, the brother of Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo, said his brother told him he has five officers dealing with him at a time and he is never in contact with any other prisoner.

He claimed the altercation last Wednesday in Belmarsh began when his brother was given an instruction by one of the guards.

Mr Adebolajo told the BBC: "They decided to twist his arm back... the arm that had been shot... He manoeuvred out of that so they smashed his head against a window."

He added: "I wonder why it took five prison officers to restrain one man and how in the course of that restraint his teeth were able to be knocked out if they were following procedures."

Five prison officers were suspended while the incident is investigated. All "strenuously deny" any wrongdoing.

Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo was pushed against a window by prison officers, knocking out two of his teeth, his brother has claimed.

Jeremiah Adebolajo told the BBC that he speaks to his brother almost daily and had also spoken to his lawyer and to the governor of Belmarsh Prison, where his brother is held.

Five prison officers were suspended over the incident, which occurred on Wednesday at the prison in south east London. All members "strenuously deny" any wrongdoing.

Peter McParlin, chairman of the Prison Officers Association, has accused the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) of over-reacting to a violent jail incident involving Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo.

Five prison officers have been suspended following the apparent restraint of Adebolajo on Wednesday. All "strenuously deny" any wrongdoing.

Mr McParlin told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We have spoken to our members and on the basis of what our members have told us they have done absolutely nothing wrong. We are concerned that the Ministry of Justice have over-reacted due to the notoriety of this prisoner."

He also criticised the MoJ for failing to "correct false reporting" of the incident at Belmarsh.

Five prison officers have been suspended following a violent incident involving Woolwich terror suspect Michael Adebolajo.

Read: Prison service refuse to comment on Woolwich assault

A prison service spokesman said:

Earlier today prison officers "strenuously deny any wrongdoing" in relation to the incident.

The Prison Service has refused to comment on the detail of what is claimed to have happened when Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo was assaulted in prison on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman said: "The police are investing an incident that took place at HMP Belmarsh on July 17. It would be inappropriate to comment while the investigation is ongoing."

Prison officers "strenuously deny any wrongdoing" after Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo lost two teeth when he was restrained in jail, a trade union said today.

The 28-year-old was injured at high security Belmarsh prison in south-east London on Wednesday, where he is being held on suspicion of murdering soldier Lee Rigby.

The Prison Officers' Association said the Ministry of Justice had done "little to avoid sensationalist reporting" of the incident.

"The POA are aware of an incident that took place on Wednesday July 17, which involved a prisoner being subjected to restraint using approved techniques called Control and Restraint," the union said.

"Our members strenuously deny any wrongdoing and the POA will be supporting them legally and emotionally during this difficult time."

It said it expects the officers to be "fully exonerated".

Read: Woolwich suspect Adebolajo assaulted in prison

ITV News understands that Michael Adebolajo, one of the men accused of the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, has been assaulted in prison. The Metropolitan Police said it had launched an inquiry:

ITV News understands that Michael Adebolajo, one of the men accused of the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, has been assaulted in prison. The prison service have confirmed an investigation is underway.

A source told ITV News that Adebolajo had two teeth knocked out and that he had been "targeted" within the prison.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "The police are investing an incident that took place at HMP Belmarsh on July 17. It would be inappropriate to comment while the investigation was ongoing.”