𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Kemi Badenoch has slammed Andy Burnham’s Cabinet for joking about the Government’s “disgusting” plans to release prisoners early. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood apologised for comments about the early release of prisoners which were picked up by a microphone.

Mr Streeting, who returned to Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s new-look Cabinet on Monday, made the remarks in a conversation with Ms Mahmood and the new Justice Secretary Alex Norris on Tuesday. In the overheard comments, Mr Streeting suggested to Ms Mahmood that Mr Norris was “the enemy now” and “wants to let them all out”.

Mr Streeting said on X that the remark was referencing a joke shared between former Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May and ex-Chancellor and Home Secretary Kenneth Clarke. He wrote: “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.”

Ms Mahmood also said there was “no ill intent” about the “ribbing” of Mr Norris.

Conservative leader Mr Badenoch said: “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.”

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