‘Gladiator fights’ at Feltham alleged

A public inquiry into the murder of an Asian young offender by
his racist cellmate will investigate claims that prison officers
set up “gladiator-style” fights between black and white
inmates.

Four new witnesses will be questioned at the inquiry into Zahid
Mubarek’s death in Feltham Young Offenders Institution, which
begins this week.

The step could lead to calls for charges to be brought when the
inquiry makes its final report.

An inquiry spokesperson said: “These allegations are so serious
that Mr Justice Keith [the inquiry chairman] feels his independent
inquiry is duty-bound to investigate them – even though the police
investigation has been concluded with no charges being
brought.”

Mubarek, 19, was killed by Robert Stewart in March 2000.

Four months before battering Mubarek to death with a table leg,
Stewart, now 24, was identified as suffering from a “deep-seated”
personality disorder.

The inquiry, which is expected to last until March, will hear
evidence from more than 100 witnesses including past and present
Feltham staff. A spokesperson for the inquiry said it could not
confirm who had made the allegations.