A Reading MP has written to new Prime Minister Liz Truss urging her to save Reading Gaol.

Matt Rodda, who represents Reading East, asked Truss to instruct the Ministry of Justice to re-examine a £10m offer made by Banksy, which would see the prison become a community arts centre.

The Ministry of Justice have been pursuing a commercial disposal of the site, which incarcerated Oscar Wilde, since 2019.

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Mr Rodda wrote: “Reading Gaol is a site of national and international significance and an important part of the cultural history of our town.

“It has been a feature of our community since 1844 when it was constructed on the site of the former county prison.

“Since the site was mothballed in 2013, a group of dedicated local residents have been working hard to make the case for Reading Gaol to stay as a community arts facility.

“The Ministry of Justice, however, have been pursuing a commercial disposal of the site since 2019 with a plan, we believe, to turn the building into luxury flats and essentially eradicating the history of building to little more than a façade.”

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Street artist Banksy offered the MoJ £10m to support a £2.6m bid made by Reading Borough Council to save the prison.

National reports suggest this will be achieved by selling the stencil 'The Great Escape', worth up to £15m, which Banksy used to paint on an outer wall of the building in March.

Mr Rodda said ministers at the MoJ were not giving Banksy’s offer the consideration it deserves.

“As our new Prime Minister,  I am asking for an undertaking from you that you will instruct your ministers and officials to give due consideration to the offer from Banksy and work with me, reading Borough Council and Banksy to secure this site for the future of everyone in Reading.”