Wayne David MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Criminal Justice and Victims, responding to the news that the private security firm G4S is to sell its UK children’s services business, including its contracts to run two youth jails, said:

“It is about time that G4S gave up these contracts to run the secure training centres at Medway and Oakhill.

“Labour has previously called for all G4S facilities to be put into special measures, unlike Michael Gove who has consistently dragged his feet.

“The Government need to ensure that whoever takes over the running of these centres is a fit and proper operator who treats the safety of the children concerned as an absolute priority and that the shocking failures we witnessed at Medway STC are never repeated.”