AN investigation has been launched following claims a prisoner was left alone to have “birthday sex” with his girlfriend at Broomfield Hospital.

A model, 24, told how she had sex with her boyfriend, HMP Chelmsford prisoner Lewis Brown, 23, in the showers earlier this year while he was in the hospital, inset, in February.

She said the couple then locked the door and were left in private –aclear breach of prisoner escort rules.

The allegations have been condemned by prisoner minister Andrew Sealous and Chelmsford M P Simon Burns .

Mr Sealous said: “We hav e opened an urgent investigation into these allegations. If they are proven, the public will rightly be shocked thataconvicted offender should be able t o behave like this while serving a prison sentence .

“Our staff do important and difficult work. If individuals have failed in their duty, they will face the strongest disciplinary penalties possible.”

Mr Burns added: “The situation, if true, is disgraceful. I trust that if individuals have failed in their duty, they will face appropriate disciplinary action.”

Brown has since been move d from Chelmsford to Highpoint jail in Suffolk.

A spokeswoman from the Mid Essex Hospitals Trust, said: “The trust is shocked to learn o f these allegations.

“Mr Brown did attend the hospital for clinical treatment and at all times was under the close supervision of HM’s Prison Service as per clearly defined protocols relating to those who are detained.

“The trust is now working in full co-operation with the Prison Service to makeafull investigation into these allegations.”