PRISON workers’ union leaders have restated their support for Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell and Ian Lavery, saying that they “want to see them in government as soon as possible.”

A statement released by POA general secretary Steve Gillan and national secretary Mark Fairhurst offered support to the Labour leadership after several days of intense criticism from figures from the right wing of the party.

The POA endorsed Mr Corbyn’s leadership bid in both 2015 and 2016.

Mr Gillan said: “The POA have long recognised that a Corbyn-led government will be a victory for workers and give them a stronger voice in the workplace, where they will be treated with respect and dignity.

“The last Labour manifesto was refreshing and caught the imagination of the general public.”

Mr Fairhurst said: “The only hope POA members have of getting their basic human rights back as a worker is to see an elected Labour government.”