Mahmood and Streeting accused of making ‘cheap jokes’ about prisoner early release scheme | UK criminal justice
Crime victims have accused ministers of playing “cheap jokes” over the early release of prisoners after Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood were caught on camera “swearing” about the plan.
In one video, new justice minister Alex Norris can be heard walking towards Mahmood and new defense minister Streeting can be heard calling Norris “an enemy now”, to which Mahmood replies “no he’s not”.
In the recording published by the news site Guido FawkesStreeting says: “He wants to let them all out” – an apparent reference to the government’s plans for the early release of prisoners, while laughter can be heard.
Streeting and Home Secretary Mahmood apologized for the comments caught on microphone, and each said the early release plan was a “serious problem”.
In a post on social media, Streeting wrote: “I hope everyone can see that there was no ill intent behind this rebuke of the new justice secretary; it was a reference to an old incident.” [Theresa] May/[Ken] Clarke’s joke. But I realize these are very serious issues, and I apologize for any offense this moment of levity has unintentionally caused.
The Home Secretary wrote: “I think everyone can see that there is no ill will behind this rebuke of the new Chancellor; it is a task I once held and which comes with enormous difficulties thanks to the vandalism inflicted on our justice system by the last Conservative government.
“But I realize this is an extremely serious matter and I don’t want anyone to mistake this moment of levity for a serious lack of intent.”
In 2017, Theresa May said of former Conservative justice secretary Ken Clarke: “When I was home secretary I used to say, ‘I locked them up and he let them out.'”
But victims reacted angrily to the comments after the victims’ commissioner and the domestic violence commissioner launched a rare coordinated intervention to warn the government of the early release plan, which they said would put victims of abuse at risk.
Hundreds of criminals will be released early under the new Criminal Code from September. Unlike emergency measures in the first months of the Labor government, which saw tens of thousands of prisoners released because prisons ran out of space, the new regulation criminal law It does not include any exemptions for prisoners convicted of serious crimes, domestic violence or terrorism.
Victims’ commissioner Claire Waxman wrote to Andy Burnham and Norris asking them to take another look at the early release plan and make it “the number one priority in their inbox” as victims continue to learn about early release through letters.
Ciara Bergman, chief executive of Rape Crisis England and Wales, said: “While we all make unfortunate comments from time to time, the early release of dangerous and convicted rapists and other criminals is clearly a serious concern for survivors. For them, this is no laughing matter; in fact, it could be a matter of life or death.”
Jade Belgrove, who wished to remain anonymous as a child rape survivor, said her life was on hold while she waited to find out when her abuser would be released. “I’m so angry that they think our pain is a cheap joke,” he said. “It’s honestly so bad, we feel like we’re being treated like a joke with this new law coming into effect, then seeing them physically laugh at the pain we face on camera creates even more heartbreak and embarrassment.”
Belgrove also said he would present a letter to Burnham and Norris highlighting the victims’ fears. “I’m asking them to make the right decision and show us that this is no laughing matter and reverse the law before it’s too late,” he said.
Earlier this week, Debbie Adlam, the mother of police officer Andrew Harper, said the prospect of releasing those responsible for her son’s death was an insult. Harper died after being dragged behind the getaway car while trying to stop thieves from stealing the ATV.
“Every moment of every day I think about my son and then this,” Adlam told the Telegraph. “The insult is beyond anything that can be put into words. It makes me sick. Andrew’s life will not come back.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch wrote on social media: “While Andy Burnham’s cabinet jokes about letting criminals out of prison early, the Conservatives are listening to victims and will continue to fight this disgusting policy.”
Speaking on Wednesday, transport minister Heidi Alexander said it was right for Streeting to apologize. She added that she had worked with Mahmood when she was justice secretary and said: “I know the seriousness with which she approached these issues.”
