LONDON, UK – Farah Naz, the aunt of murdered Zara Aleena, is accusing prison officials at HMP Belmarsh of covering up a scandal after her niece’s killer, Jordan McSweeney, allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with a female prison worker.
According to a spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police, the 32-year-old woman has been arrested and is under investigation for alleged misconduct in public office.
The allegations have raised serious questions about the security and management of HMP Belmarsh, a high-security prison in south-east London. Farah Naz has called for a public investigation into the matter, expressing deep concern over the reported relationship taking place only two months into McSweeney’s sentence.
During a meeting with justice secretary Alex Chalk, Farah Naz claimed that the official was unaware of the alleged relationship and appeared shocked when she brought it to his attention.
McSweeney, who had a history of previous convictions, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Zara Aleena. His actions in the hours leading up to the brutal killing were captured on CCTV, and it was revealed that he had been released from prison just nine days prior to the incident.
Despite prior convictions and the brutality of the crime, the Court of Appeal reduced McSweeney’s sentence from 38 years to 33 years, much to the disappointment of the victim’s family.
The Metropolitan Police is currently investigating the allegations of misconduct involving the female prison worker at HMP Belmarsh, and the woman in question has been released under investigation. The case remains ongoing.