Justice Secretary David Lammy faces mounting pressure after two more prisoners, including a convicted Algerian sex offender, were mistakenly released from Wandsworth prison. The errors occurred days after Lammy introduced new checks for jails following a similar incident.
Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, who overstayed his visa and was convicted of indecent exposure, was freed last Wednesday. Police were only notified six days later. The same prison also released fraudster William Smith, 35, on the day he was sentenced to 45 months.
The Ministry of Justice admitted Lammy was not “accurately informed of key details” when questioned in Parliament. The cases follow the mistaken release of Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu, a sex offender, from Chelmsford prison.
Downing Street called the latest case “concerning” and said it would be included in a review led by Lynne Owens. The Prison Service is investigating whether warrants were lost, leading to the releases.
Labour MP Rosena Allin-Khan, whose constituency includes Wandsworth, said residents would be “deeply concerned” and demanded answers. Tory frontbencher James Cartlidge clashed with Lammy during Prime Minister’s Questions over the issue.
