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A Conservative MP has come under fire from a senior figure in the justice sector after joining a march in support of prison officers demanding earlier retirement - despite previously opposing them.
Gordon Henderson, who represents Sittingbourne and Sheppey, was invited to take part by the Prison Officers Association even though he had previously supported the government in increasing the pension age of staff to 68.
He said during Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons last week: “Police officers and firefighters are able to retire at 60, however, prison officers cannot retire until they are 66 and face the prospect of a retirement at 68. Is this fair?”
But Michael Rolfe, a prison officer on Sheppey and the POA’s former national chairman, said: “I am extremely disappointed with the POA and their public courtship of Mr Henderson.
“He has backed furtherance on anti-trade union laws against the POA and all other trade unions, he has voted to privatise other public sector services such as the Royal Mail and my colleagues and I have emails from him where he states he supports his government in increasing the pension age of prison staff to 68.
"I would have hoped the POA would check such details before promoting this man.”
The two men last clashed when Mr Rolfe, who chairs the Sittingbourne and Sheppey Labour Party, stood against each other in the 2017 General Election.
Mr Henderson said: “Just to set the record straight. I was invited by the Prison Officers Association to attend this rally and was proud to support them.
“It is true I did believe at one time that prison officers would be able to work until they were 68.
"But having taken the trouble to spend time on the front line in our local prisons I soon realised that I was wrong. I am happy to admit my mistake.”
He added: “The Prime Minister said she would draw my concerns to the Justice Department. It was just the type of answer I expected. The point of asking was to highlight the pensions injustice faced by prison officers.
“The way of getting change is by continuing to raise an issue, which is why I have submitted yet another application for a Westminster Hall debate to highlight what I believe is a gross unfairness.”
