Prison chief accused of bullying

Brian McAlley was suspended on full pay

A prison governor has been suspended following allegations of bullying.

Brian McAlley took over as the boss of Shepton Mallet Prison, Somerset, two years ago.

The announcement of his suspension came on the day the prison opened its doors to civic dignitaries, including former Beirut hostage, Terry Waite.

The former envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury was visiting the Somerset jail to open its new resettlement unit.

A home office prisons spokesman said: "The governor is currently suspended from duty pending the outcome of investigation into a couple of complaints.

"They have come from two senior managers at the establishment and relate to alleged bullying behaviour."

Mr McAlley has been suspended on full pay while an investigation is carried out.

He was previously a governor at Haslar Prison in Portsmouth, Hampshire.