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PoliticsUK ministers Streeting and Mahmood apologize for prisoner release joke caught on mic
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UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood were forced to apologize after a microphone in the Downing Street garden picked up their joking remarks about the early release of prisoners. The comments were made following the first meeting of Andy Burnham's new cabinet. Streeting was heard saying to Mahmood, referring to new Justice Secretary Alex Norris, 'You know he’s the enemy now he’s at justice, Shabana? He wants to let them all out.' Mahmood, who as former justice secretary approved the early release of thousands of prisoners to ease overcrowding, laughed and replied, 'No he’s not.' Both ministers later issued apologies on X, explaining the exchange was a reference to a joke by former Tory PM Theresa May about Ken Clarke. They expressed regret for any offense caused by the moment of levity, while emphasizing there was no ill intent.
Source report
Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood have issued apologies after they were overheard joking about the early release of prisoners following a cabinet meeting.
The comments were picked up by a microphone in the Downing Street garden after the first meeting of Prime Minister Andy Burnham's new cabinet.
The Exchange
Streeting, who was appointed defence secretary, was heard referring to new Justice Secretary Alex Norris. He said:
"You know he's the enemy now he's at justice, Shabana? He wants to let them all out."
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood replied, laughing: "No he's not."
Mahmood had previously approved the early release of thousands of prisoners when she served as justice secretary after the 2024 election, a measure intended to ease overcrowding in jails.
The Apologies
In a statement posted on X, Streeting said the exchange was a reference to comments made by former Conservative prime minister Theresa May about Ken Clarke, who served as justice secretary under David Cameron. May had said: "When I was home secretary and he was justice secretary, I used to say that I locked 'em up and he let 'em out."
Streeting 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."
Mahmood also issued a statement, saying:
"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."
Source
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Western
Part of this Story
UK Ministers Apologize for Hot Mic Joke on Prisoner Early Release