Investigation launched after Adam Johnson filmed telling prisoners: 'I wish I'd raped schoolgirl'

An investigation has been launched after footballer Adam Johnson was caught on camera telling fellow prisoners he wish he'd raped a schoolgirl.

The former Premier League and England star was secretly filmed laughing while discussing his conviction for sexual activity with a 15-year-old fan.

In the footage obtained by The Sun, Johnson is seen sitting in what appears to be a laundry room of Moorland Prison in South Yorkshire.

He is asked by someone: "It's not like you f***ing raped her or owt like that?"

Laughing, he replies: "No, I wish I f***ing did for six year."

The former Sunderland and Manchester City winger is also heard saying he believes he was brought to court and handed a long sentence because he is famous.

The father-of-one was found guilty last year of sexual activity with a child after meeting up with the besotted girl in his Range Rover in County Durham in January 2015.

At the start of the 29-year-old’s trial at Bradford Crown Court, Johnson admitted one charge of sexual activity with a child, relating to kissing her.

Last month Johnson lost a challenge for permission to appeal against his conviction and Court of Appeal judges also rejected his bid for a reduction in his six-year jail sentence

The Ministry of Justice released a statement on Friday afternoon saying it is investigating the incident, after initially declining to comment.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "We are committed to making prisons places of safety and reform and are stepping up measures to find and block illegal mobile phones.

"Those who break the rules will be punished and can face extra time behind bars. An investigation is under way."