Vicky Thompson and boyfriend Robert Steele. Photo: Supplied

London: A transgender woman who was sent to a male prison in Britain has been found dead.

Vicky Thompson, 21, was being held at Armley, in Leeds, where she was found unresponsive on Friday November 13.

Friends of Ms Thompson, who was born male but had identified as female since she was a teenager, said she had asked to be sent to a female prison.

Tara Brown was transferred to a female prison after an online campaign to get her moved. Photo: Change.org

Her lawyer described her as a "vulnerable transgender person", according to BBC reports.

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An investigation into her death has been launched, the UK Prison Service said.

The news comes after Tara Hudson, a transgender woman from Bath, was transferred to a female prison after a campaign to get her moved.

Ms Thompson, from Keighley, West Yorkshire, was handed a 12-month jail term in August which was suspended for 24 months.

But she later breached the terms of the sentence, and was remanded in custody at Bradford Crown Court.

Her solicitor, Mohammed Hussain, said he had advised the judge she was "essentially a woman" and asked for her to be sent to New Hall women's prison, near Wakefield.

He said he also asked for any sentence to be reduced if it was decided Ms Thompson would be sent to an all-male prison.

Mr Hussain described Ms Thompson, who had not undergone gender reassignment surgery, as a vulnerable transgender person.

Alex Kaye, from SafeT, which represents transgender people, said he hoped Ms Thompson's death would bring about a change in the law.

"Any woman would not be happy to be in a male prison regardless of any gender identity history," he said.

Ms Thompson's boyfriend, Robert Steele, said he had spoken to her a day before and had booked a visit to the prison before her death.

"She didn't like it in there because people were saying things to her because she was dressing as a female," he said.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "HMP Leeds prisoner Vicky Thompson was found unresponsive on the evening of Friday, 13 November.

"Staff and paramedics attempted resuscitation but she was pronounced dead at 20:48 GMT.

"As with all deaths in custody there will be an investigation by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman".

West Yorkshire Police said Ms Thompson's death was not being treated as suspicious.

Tara Hudson, 26, was jailed for 12 weeks and placed at the all-male HMP Bristol after admitting assault.

More than 140,000 people signed petitions calling for her to be moved, with supporters claiming she had been placed in danger of sexual violence.

She has had reconstructive surgery and lived as a woman all her adult life but is still legally a man.

It is understood that she is now at the all-female HM Prison Eastwood Park in South Gloucestershire.

The Telegraph London.