JAILED crime boss Colin Gunn has criticised the security used for his appearance at a recent tax hearing.
Gunn is fighting a claim brought under civil law by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) – believed to be for 20 years of alleged unpaid tax.
The exact sum being sought from Gunn is not known.
But now he has questioned the cost of the security operation surrounding his transport from the special secure unit at Belmarsh prison in London to the prison's own video-link room prior to a recent hearing.
Gunn was jailed in 2006 for conspiracy to murder Joan and John Stirland in their Lincolnshire home in August 2004.
They were killed after Mrs Stirland's son, Michael O'Brien, shot dead Marvyn Bradshaw, a friend of Colin Gunn's nephew Jamie.
The Post has learned that a hearing over the tax claim took place on January 29 this year and was organised by the Tribunals Service.
Individuals facing unpaid tax charges brought by HMRC can appeal to a Tribunals Service first-tier tribunal if they feel the case is unjust.
An independent judge will then allow or stop the prosecution.
An HMRC spokesperson said: "We are unable to comment on individual cases under any circumstances.
"We aim to resolve tax disputes where possible through discussion and consensus but we won't compromise where we are clear our analysis of the tax rules is the right one."
But Gunn was left unhappy at the security he says was used for the tax hearing.
In a letter written by Gunn after the hearing, extracts of which have been disclosed to the Post, he says: "The security team take me over with the governor, all the main prison is locked up, a total freeze in place.
"I am driven 100 metres then marched handcuffed to the video link room, every doorway I pass there is a security officer in place.
"This is not a problem, the prison doing these things, it is the regulations.
"What is a problem is this: I only moved 100 metres. I stayed inside Belmarsh Prison, yet I had a police helicopter hovering above, so no doubt there would be armed police outside. After the hearing I had to wait 20-25 minutes while the helicopter got airborne. I sat in the van watching it follow me the 100 metres back to the unit. I found the whole thing unbelievable myself, that the taxpayer is funding all this unnecessary security. I never left the prison.
"What would happen if a serious incident happened and the helicopter was required? Or the armed police?
"It's a disgrace and for what? To watch me travel in a prison van, handcuffed, surrounded by officers, plus three prison dogs all going mad!
"How can this be justified?"
A Prison Service spokesman said: "Security in prisons is paramount, and all category A escorts are individually risk assessed. For obvious reasons, we cannot comment on security arrangements."
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