A convicted murderer was today staging a one-man protest on the roof of Strageways prison in Manchester over prison conditions for inmates.
Stuart Horner climbed an 18ft fence before launching his protest yesterday afternoon, which saw him strip down to his underwear and shouting at passers-by.
The 35-year-old inmate, who was jailed for life in 2012 for murdering his uncle, is said to have claimed he wants to change prison history with his protest and has threatened to continue it for "40 days and nights", the Manchester Evening News reported.
Police closed roads around HMP Manchester today while they continued to try to persuade Horner to come down from the roof.
He is reported to have smashed glass panes on the roof during his demonstration today. At one point he was also seen dancing as reporters and photographers waited at the site, according to reports.
His sister was later said to have been attempting to negotiate with him while standing on a cherry picker platform that was erected next to the roof.
Strangeways is in the midst of a staffing crisis which has seen prisoners locked in their cells for up to 23 hours a day.
It is believed Horner's protest was prompted after a spate of assaults against prison staff and inmates in recent weeks.
