PRISON officers should have their right to strike reinstated, the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) has said.

The 1994 Tory government removed the right.

And the new Labour government failed to follow through on its pledge to reinstate the right in England and Wales, despite the Scottish government doing so in 2015.

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell MP has submitted amendments that would reinstate the human right in the Employment Rights Bill.

POA general secretary Steve Gillan said: “Strike action is a last resort, but it is one of the few ways that workers can fight back against poor pay, punishing terms of service, and workplace conditions.

“MPs have the opportunity to right this historic wrong, the POA is urging all MPs to support John McDonnell’s amendments.”

POA national chair Mark Fairhurst added: “This appalling restriction of basic human rights lets the government legally exploit loyal and brave public servants, who are limited in their ability to protect their pay, terms or conditions.”