An al-Qaeda terrorist involved in a plot to bomb London was taught how to be a stand-up COMIC at his top-security prison, The Sun can reveal.
Evil Zia Ul Haq was enrolled on an eight-day “comedy workshop” at Whitemoor jail, along with murderers and rapists.
An inquiry was launched today by the director of high security prisons to consider whether further action was needed, the Ministry of Justice said.
A spokeswoman added: “The director general of the National Offender Management Service is personally briefing governors from all prisons on the need to take account of the public acceptability test in relation to prison classes.”
The 18 cons were given lessons in stand-up, comic drama, improvisation and scriptwriting.
Once they “graduated” they were due to get a certificate and display their new talents with a comedy show for fellow lags and guards.
Last night Justice Secretary Jack Straw canned the “totally unacceptable” course after The Sun alerted him. He also vetoed a plan by the Category A Cambridgeshire prison to set up its own comedy club.
Ul Haq, 29, was given an 18-year stretch last year for his part in a plot to bomb buildings in London and the rest of the UK.
He was a member of a sleeper cell controlled by British al-Qaeda “general” Dhiren Barot, 35, who is serving a minimum of 30 years.
Ul Haq, of Paddington, West London, has a degree in construction management. And he was recruited to advise on locating bombs so buildings would collapse when they exploded.
Anti-terror cops said the cell planned to cause “huge loss of life” using limos packed with gas cylinders.
The course was laid on by the Comedy School of London at an estimated cost to the jail of £8,000.
It started on Monday and ran for three days before Mr Straw stepped in. He said: “As soon as I heard about it, I instructed it must be immediately cancelled.
“Senior managers in the Prison Service, who were also unaware of it, take the same view. Prisons should be places of punishment and reform. Providing educational and constructive pursuits is essential but the types of courses and the manner in which they are delivered must be appropriate.”
Mr Straw was backed by Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Herbert. Comedy School founder Keith Palmer, a tutor on the course, said his non-profit making organisation “uses the arts as an educational and rehabilitative tool”.
Jail chiefs asked for two members of staff to take part in the workshop but everyone refused.
One prison officer said: “We are talking about dangerous criminals being taught how to be stand-up comedians. There was nothing remotely funny about their crimes.”
The Justice Ministry launched a probe and said all jail governors will today be briefed “to take account of the public acceptability test.”
Whitemoor houses three 21/7 bombers and M25 road rage killer Kenny Noye.