Hydebank governor Gary Alcock is suspended

Hydebank is Northern Ireland's third largest prison

The governor of Northern Ireland's third largest prison has been suspended from duty.

Gary Alcock was removed from his duties as governor at Hydebank Wood. It follows a report into the death of a 23-year-old female prisoner last year.

In a statement, the prison service said it was a precautionary suspension following allegations of concern by Prisoner Ombudsman Pauline McCabe.

It said an independent investigation would now be conducted.

Another senior governor will be appointed to run the prison.

The prison service said the investigation was expected to take weeks to complete.