Ghislaine Maxwell's family rant her cell 'breaches Nelson Mandela rules'

Ghislaine Maxwell’s family have sparked fury by saying her jail stay breaches the Nelson Mandela Rules.

Relatives of the socialite claim her treatment in a US jail could contravene the UN agreement on prisoner care, saying she has faced “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment”.

But their tweet sparked outrage online, with one critic telling the family: “You will get no sympathy.”

Maxwell, 59, is on remand in a New York jail accused of recruiting underage girls for Prince Andrew’s paedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself in the prison in 2019. Andrew strongly denies any wrongdoing.

South African anti-apartheid leader Mandela was subjected to hard labour in a quarry and tiny cells without beds during his 27 years incarcerated.

The 122 UN rules named in his honour outline agreed minimum jail standards.

One Maxwell critic wrote: “Keep on crying. She has access to a shower, laptop and calls with her lawyers.”

Another said: “Her basic human needs are being met. I don’t know what you expect jail to be like?”

Maxwell’s lawyers and brother Ian claim she has been mistreated at the jail, saying she has suffered from sleep deprivation, a lack of drinking water and a sewage stench in her cell. Prosecutors dispute their allegations.

A judge ordered a probe after a picture emerged of her with a black eye.

The Metropolitan Detention Center has not publicly commented on her treatment.

She faces trial in November after denying eight charges including sex trafficking and conspiracy.

If convicted, she faces up to 80 years in prison

Last month her family said she “looks forward” to her sex trial- and “fully expects” to be cleared.

Writing on a Twitter account run by siblings, including brother Ian, her family said: “Ghislaine looks forward to a fair trial where she fully expects to be exonerated.

"She has never been found liable in any civil litigation.

“None of the allegations has ever been tested by cross examination with witnesses under oath.”

The statement came after it was revealed Maxwell had lost her bid to stop prison guards shining torches into her cell at night.

Judge Alison Nathan said officials at the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York were entitled to conduct “flashlight surveillance” every 15 minutes.

And that the check-ups were appropriate because the British socialite has been housed alone, faced serious charges and might experience stress from the high-profile case.