Wes Streeting has apologised after he was caught on a hot microphone making light of Labour’s controversial early release scheme, in comments that have reignited anger over the policy among victims’ families.
The Defence Secretary, who returned to Andy Burnham’s Cabinet earlier this week, was overheard on Tuesday telling Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood that the new Justice Secretary, Alex Norris, was now “the enemy” who “wants to let them all out.” The exchange was reported by Metro after it was picked up on camera.
Mr Streeting later said on social media that the comment was not meant seriously, and referred to it as a nod to an old joke between former prime minister Theresa May and the late chancellor Kenneth Clarke.
He apologised for any offence caused, saying he recognised the issue was a serious one for many people. Ms Mahmood echoed the sentiment, saying the moment of levity should not be mistaken for a lack of seriousness on her part.
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, criticised the pair, saying it was wrong for ministers to be joking about the early release of criminals while victims and their families continue to live with the consequences of crime.
The remarks come at a sensitive time for the government. Under the Sentencing Act, due to take effect in September, around 6,000 prisoners are expected to be released early as ministers attempt to ease overcrowding across the prison estate, a policy that has drawn sustained criticism since it was first announced.
Among those who could be affected are two men convicted over the death of Pc Andrew Harper, who was killed on duty in 2019. Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were jailed for 13 years in 2020 after Pc Harper was dragged more than a mile along country roads when his ankles became caught in a towrope. Both men were 17 at the time of the offence and could now be eligible for release at the halfway point of their sentences, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed.
Pc Harper’s mother has said the possibility of early release for her son’s killers feels like an insult to his memory.
Mr Norris has faced calls to reconsider the scheme. Asked whether the government was considering exempting rapists and child groomers from early release, a spokesman said only that ministers were focused on public safety and would not comment on speculation about future policy changes.
