The British Prison Service launched an investigation today into how an undercover journalist got a job as a warder at the top-security Woodhill prison which houses the high-profile murder suspect Ian Huntley.
The News of the World newspaper has printed pictures of Huntley - charged with the Soham schoolgirl murders that shocked Britain last summer - which they say were taken by reporter Mr David McGee.
The reporter said he called the Woodhill prison in Buckinghamshire to ask for a job and within 13 weeks worked as the sole guard minding Huntley.
Mr McGee said he gave false information on his job application including the wrong address and a bogus personal reference from a convicted criminal.
The inquiry is a further embarrassment for the Prison Service following Huntley's suicide attempt last week despite being watched to ensure he did not try to take his life. McGee had left the prison by May 16th.
"We are very concerned about the allegations in a Sunday newspaper that a reporter was employed at HMP Woodhill," a Prison Service spokesman said. "The deputy director general has commissioned an investigation which will be conducted by a senior manager from the Prison Service."
He said the report would be given to ministers as soon as possible.