Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood have been caught on a hot mic seemingly joking about the early release of prisoners under Labour. Upon seeing the new Justice Secretary, Alex Norris, who was appointed by the new prime minister, Andy Burnham, on Monday, after the new Cabinet's first meeting on Tuesday, Mr Streeting, the Defence Secretary, said to the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood: “You know he’s the enemy now, Justice Shabana?” Ms Mahmood replied: “No he’s not!” Mr Streeting said: “He wants to let them all out.” Ms Mahmood said: “You know who’s boss!” Ms Mahmood then asked Mr Norris: “When do you do your swearing in?” He replied: “A couple of weeks, I guess.” Ms Mahmood said: “Tell me when it is, I’ll come around. I want to come.” The footage was captured by the Metro's social media team.
Early Release of Killers
It comes as it has emerged that the killers caged over the death of PC Andrew Harper are set to be released early as part of the policy to free up prison places.
Political Reaction
The Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philp MP, said the joke was "despicable". He said: "Shabana Mahmood and Wes Streeting laughing about letting criminals - including rapists - out of prison early. This is despicable. Letting rapists out of prison early is not funny. They should both apologise - and cancel their early release plans for rapists."
Mr Streeting took to X to apologise: "I hope everyone can see there was no ill intent behind this ribbing of the new Justice Secretary - it was a reference to an old May/Clarke joke. But I appreciate these are very serious issues and am sorry for any offence inadvertently caused by this moment of levity."
While Ms Mahmood posted: "I think everyone can see there was no ill intent behind this ribbing of the new Lord Chancellor - a role I once filled and which comes with immense challenges thanks to the vandalism inflicted on our justice system by the last Conservative government. But I appreciate this is an extremely serious issue and do not want anyone to mistake this moment of levity for a lack of serious intent."
The Express also contacted the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office. They did not wish to comment.
