Transport Secretary Wes Streeting has issued an apology for his light-hearted comment referring to a Cabinet colleague as “the enemy” in connection to the early prisoner release program. The incident occurred when a microphone caught Streeting playfully teasing new Justice Secretary Alex Norris about wanting to release all prisoners. Streeting clarified that his remark was not meant to be malicious, but Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch highlighted the comment.
The exchange took place as Norris approached Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Streeting, caught on video by The Metro, jokingly remarked, “You know he’s the enemy now.” Mahmood countered, “No, he’s not,” to which Streeting added, “He wants to let them all out.”
This banter referenced the contentious early prisoner release initiative introduced by the Labour party to prevent overcrowding in British prisons. Streeting took to social media to explain, “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 offense inadvertently caused by this moment of levity.”
Mahmood echoed Streeting’s sentiment, stating, “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.”
Addressing the incident on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander noted, “So Wes has apologized for those remarks. I know Wes well. I know Shabana and Alex Norris very well too. And I know that those remarks don’t reflect the seriousness with which all of them will approach matters relating to public safety and the prison system.”
Legislative amendments in the Sentencing Act allow for the release of prisoners serving determinate sentences after completing a third of their term, while those convicted of violent or sexual offenses may be released halfway through their sentence. All released prisoners are subject to monitoring, including electronic tagging.
Following the release of the clip, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the incident, stating, “While Andy Burnham’s cabinet are joking about letting criminals out of prison early, Conservatives are listening to victims and will continue to fight this disgusting policy.”