LONDON: Conservative leadership candidate Rishi Sunak has pledged to tackle issue of Islamist ideology in British prisons by ensuring prisoners on terror charges are kept separate from other inmates.

Former chancellor, whose resignation last month sparked downfall of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he will reform how Britain deals with Islamist terror offenders if he is elected as party’s new leader.

His pledge comes amid concerns that poorly run and overcrowded prisons are becoming hives of radicalisation.

Sunak said that he would make it a criminal offense to spread Islamist ideology in prisons and would reform Prevent programme, Britain’s counter-extremism initiative to ensure it prioritised Islamism over other terror threats.

He also said that his government would ensure inmates held on terror charges would be kept away from other prisoners. Sunak said he would commit to project and pass a new bill of rights for prison staff.

Former chancellor also added that he would adopt a broader definition of terrorism to include those who “vilify” UK.

“There is no more important duty for a prime minister than keeping our country and our people safe,” he said. “Whether redoubling our efforts to tackle Islamist extremism or rooting out those who are vocal in their hatred of our country, I will do whatever it takes to fulfil that duty. –Agencies