Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has revealed the ringleaders of a major disturbance at a north-east prison have already been transferred to other jails.
He said the instigators of the 12-hour stand-off at HMP Grampian in Peterhead, which involved more than 40 inmates, would be dealt with by the courts.
The SNP minister added that he had “great faith” in staff at the recently-opened jail and insisted that the Scottish Government and Scottish Prison Service (SPS) would “not tolerate hooliganism”.
Mr McAskill said the prison authorities would launch a full investigation into the incident at the jail, which houses male and female prisoners and young offenders.
Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes, a north-east MSP, said she was concerned the stand-off was the second “significant disturbance” at HMP Grampian since it opened in March.
She said it was clear a greater mix of inmates than the old prison – which was a unit for sex offenders – and a large number of new recruits was presenting challenges for the SPS.
Ms McInnes said: “It needs to ensure that this facility has sufficient resources and experience to deal with difficult situations.”
Scottish Conservative justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell said the stand-off was a “very serious incident”.
“Kenny MacAskill now has to get on top of this situation and get control of the prison,” she added.
“The safety of staff there can no longer be jeopardised.”
Mr MacAskill said he held talks yesterday with SPS chief executive, Colin McConnell, to discuss the situation.
“I am grateful there has been no injury to prisoners and prison officers so I am delighted about the way this has been handled,” he added.
“Action has now been taken to make sure those who have perpetrated this will be held to account.
“I have great faith in actions being taken by the officers at the frontline and the chief executive.”
Mr MacAskill declined to comment on claims a design flaw in the building made it easy for prisoners to barricade themselves in parts of it.
“It is an outstanding prison that has been opened and is similar to many,” he added.
“These matters will be reviewed by SPS and we also have HM Chief Inspector of Prisons so what we are required to do now is to allow them to take the appropriate action.
“Those who perpetrated it will be dealt through the courts and others are being transferred out of HMP Grampian as we speak.”
Mr MacAskill said it would be wrong for him to comment further on the issue because there would be criminal proceedings.
“I fully support the action of the prison service and they are now taking further action to ensure we have good order in the prison,” he added.
“People who go into prison can be difficult, it is the nature of the terrain, but neither the prison service nor the government is going to tolerate hooliganism.”