FRANKLAND Prison authorities have launched an investigation after the cell of one of the failed July 21 suicide bombers was set alight. Hussain Osman was jailed for at least 40 years earlier this month for his part in the terror attempt and is being held at the Durham jail.

He is believed to have returned to his cell on Sunday to find it ablaze, following what Channel 4 News said was a row over where Muslim inmates held prayers. A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman refused to comment on individual prisoners but confirmed there had been a fire. "A prisoner returned to find a small fire was set. There were no injuries to staff or prisoners," she said. "The prison authorities are investigating the cause of the fire." Another terrorist, Dhiren Barot, needed hospital treatment earlier this month for severe injuries inflicted in the same prison. Barot, who was jailed for life last year after plotting to blow up New York, was believed to have been scalded.