Pressure is building on the Ministry of Justice to accept Banksy’s £10m Reading prison, after an MP leant his voice to the Chronicle’s campaign relaunch.

The paper called out the MoJ for its silence when the street artist backed Council plans to turn the disused jail into an arts hub.

Now MP for Reading East Matt Rodda has called on the MoJ to stop its current bidding process and rethink.

“I am delighted that the Chronicle is stepping up its campaign to Save Reading Gaol,” said Mr Rodda.

Chronicle comment: Don't be a Grinch, Ministry! Time to sell Reading Gaol

“Banksy has made an incredibly generous offer to help save the Gaol. I am calling on the MoJ to stop its current bidding process and consider the £10 million being offered by the well-known artist.

“We now have a real chance to save Reading Gaol and turn it into an arts hub , I do hope the Government will make the most of this wonderful opportunity.”

After the MoJ put the Grade II listed building on the market in 2019, Reading Borough Council proposed turning it into a tourist attraction, but Artisan Real Estate was chosen to develop the site.

Read more: How a cancelled train led to Banksy's Reading prison stunt - and a £10m pledge to buy it

The sale fell through in November 2020 and the council submitted another bid in March 2021 with a £2.6m price tag.

That bid was rejected in May but the council said it left the proposal on the table, should the MoJ change its mind.

Since Banksy made his pledge in December, the MoJ have only responded: “The deadline for bids has passed and we are currently considering the ones we received.”