EQUALITY campaigners have responded with shock and anger to news that a transgender woman from Keighley has been found dead in prison.

Vicky Thompson, 21, had told her friends she would kill herself if she was sent to a male prison.

Thompson was being held at Armley, Leeds, where she was pronounced dead last Friday. She was born male but had identified as female since her mid-teens.

The Prison Service says an investigation into her death has been launched.

Thompson was handed a 12-month jail term in August which was suspended for 24 months.

It is understood that she later breached the terms of the sentence, and was remanded in custody at Bradford Crown Court.

She had not undergone gender reassignment surgery, but was described by her solicitor as a vulnerable transgender person.

Reacting today to news of Thompson's death, Saorsa Tweedale, who founded Bradford-based social support group Trans Positive, said: "If this were to happen in any other country it would be akin to institutional murder.

"They sent a transwoman to the open wing of a male prison when she said she'd commit suicide if this happened.

"They got it totally and utterly wrong.

"The Government needs to get in place guidance for the penal service on how to deal with trans women and trans men and how they should be treated by the courts.

"Their definition of themselves should be respected until a proper assessment of them is made by professionals."

Information on transgender prisoners to be issued for first time after death of Keighley inmate

A Prison Service spokesman said: "HMP Leeds prisoner Vicky Thompson was found unresponsive on the evening of Friday November 13.

"Staff and paramedics attempted resuscitation but she was pronounced dead at 8.48pm.

Share article "As with all deaths in custody there will be an investigation by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman".

West Yorkshire Police said Thompson's death was not being treated as suspicious.