Suicide bid Huntley back in jail

It was the third recorded attempt by the murderer to take his own life and a Prison Service spokeswoman said an investigation into the incident will now be launched.

Mark Leech, editor of the Prisons Handbook, said: "This is a dreadful story for the Prison Service and a huge embarrassment for them, particularly as Huntley is the highest possible security category.

"It is going to require some heads to be banged together to sort this out - they really must get to grips with it because this is not the first time, by any means, that Huntley has tried to take his own life. If necessary any medication should be given by injection."

Huntley received hospital treatment following the failed suicide attempt. It is believed that the killer had taken an overdose of prescription medication at Wakefield high security prison.

A Prison Service spokeswoman confirmed Huntley had received medical care before being transferred back to the prison. She refused to say where he had been taken for treatment.

Huntley was jailed for 40 years for the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, both 10, in Soham, Cambs, in August 2002.

Since being in prison Huntley has attempted suicide on at least two other occasions.

His first bid to take his own life happened while he was on remand at Woodhill jail in Milton Keynes in 2003. He had stored 29 pills in a box of tea bags.

Huntley made another attempt to end his life in September last year. On that occasion, he had to have his stomach pumped and was put under heavy sedation in hospital after being found unconscious.