Justice Secretary David Lammy is facing mounting pressure after two more prisoners, including a convicted sex offender from Algeria, were mistakenly released from Wandsworth Prison. The errors occurred just days after Lammy introduced new checks for prisons following a similar incident at Chelmsford Prison.
Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, who overstayed his visa, was wrongly freed last Wednesday. He had been convicted of trespass with intent to steal and indecent exposure. The Metropolitan Police were only informed on Tuesday, giving him a six-day head start. Also released in error was William Smith, 35, who had been sentenced to 45 months for fraud and freed the same day.
Lammy had refused to confirm whether any further mistaken releases had occurred during Prime Minister's Questions, but the Ministry of Justice later stated he had not been accurately informed. The Prison Service is investigating whether officers lacked the necessary warrants to hold the men.
Downing Street described Kaddour-Cherif's case as concerning, with a spokesperson saying one mistaken release is too many. The government has ordered a review led by Lynne Owens, which will now include this incident. Wandsworth's Labour MP Rosena Allin-Khan expressed horror and demanded answers.
