Taxpayers could fund funeral for Soham murderer Ian Huntley

Taxpayers could pay towards the costs of Ian Huntley's cremation or funeral, unless his family makes alternative arrangements.

The 52-year-old double murderer died in hospital on Saturday after allegedly being attacked by an unknown inmate at HMP Frankland. Huntley, who killed 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in 2002, had been in a critical condition in hospital after being hit with a metal bar on Thursday morning.

The former school caretaker was allegedly attacked in a workshop at the high-security jail in Durham. Police said earlier that their investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.

It is a longstanding policy for the prison service to contribute up to £3,000 towards basic funeral expenses for any death in custody. The money is only permitted to be paid directly to a funeral director, and must be used to cover "reasonable costs" which include a "simple" coffin, a hearse, and cremation or burial fees.

It cannot be used for a headstone, flowers or order of service sheets, or other expenses considered "non-reasonable.