An MP has joined a march for prison officers in London.

Gordon Henderson, who represents Sheppey and Sittingbourne, joined members of the Prison Officers Association (POA) on the march today.

He was supporting their campaign to lower their pension age to 60 to bring it into line with police and fire-fighters.

The march and rally was also against more private prisons and to highlight the level of violence in jails.

Mr Henderson said: "I was proud to join local prison officers and their national colleagues on their protest march past Parliament and show my support for their campaign.

“I believe it is unfair that prison officers are facing the prospect of having to work until they are 68 while their colleagues in the police and fire service are able to retire at 60.

“I have visited our prisons on the Isle of Sheppey a number of times and can testify that the work of prison officers is both physically and mentally demanding.

"Such demands place a huge strain on a young person, let alone somebody who is approaching 70 years of age.

“I recently applied for a Parliamentary debate on the subject of the retirement age for prison officers but was not successful in the draw that took place.

"However, I have applied again and will continue to do so until I am successful.

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“I have long opposed the use of private prisons and will continue to do so.

"I believe there is a place for the private sector in delivering some of the services in prisons, such as catering and education, but when it comes to the supervision of inmates, I do not believe the State should subcontract that to a private company that is able to make a profit out of the incarceration of prisoners."

He added: “The rising level of violence in prisons is something I have been concerned about for a long time. I have been campaigning, with the POA, for prison officers to be given more protection from attacks including, where necessary, the use of pepper sprays.

“I will continue to back the POA until we get the justice that prison officers deserve.”

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne