JUSTICE Secretary David Gauke failed in his duty to prevent unlawful strip searches at a privately run women’s prison, the High Court heard today.

Four claimants allege they were subject to unlawful strip searches in July and September 2017 at HMP Peterborough, which is run by Sodexo Justice Services.

The firm has admitted the searches were in breach of the claimants’ rights and that there was a “systemic failure” to follow the relevant prison instruction (PSI) on searches.