A domestic abuse survivor has condemned Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for joking about the early release of prisoners, saying the comments were an insult to victims.
Footage, first reported by Metro's Senior Political Reporter Craig Munro, shows Streeting and Mahmood joking outside Downing Street about Justice Secretary Alex Norris's new role in Andy Burnham's cabinet, suggesting he wanted to let all prisoners out on early release. Both politicians later apologised.
Survivor's story
The survivor, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she lived through 13 years of abuse before her ex-partner was released early. She described being raped, punched, strangled, stabbed, hit and kicked in the crotch over several days in 2020. Her ex was convicted of kidnap, attempted murder and rape, with the rape charge dropped after a plea deal. He served six years before being released in March last year.
“I got told on the day, which is standard practice, and doesn’t give victims of DV near enough time to prepare,” she said. “Now, I’m sentenced to a lifetime of anxiety, and I’m sickened to see some of the most powerful people in the country appear to consider this ripe for joking.”
Politicians' apologies
Wes Streeting tweeted an apology, saying “I hope everyone can see there was no ill intent”. Shabana Mahmood also apologised, using the opportunity to criticise the Tory government. Streeting referred to an “old May/Clarke joke” in his statement.
The survivor said the comments caused her “significant distress” and that “people’s lives should matter more” than political jokes. She added that a release date can bring back fear, anxiety and trauma for victims who have spent years trying to recover.
Domestic abuse in the UK
According to figures from Refuge, one in four women experience domestic abuse, and police record a domestic abuse every 40 seconds. Less than 20% of women who experience partner abuse report it to police. The survivor said politicians need to remember that prisoners are not just statistics, and decisions about early release have a real impact on victims' safety.
