Paedophiles and rapists will be free to walk Britain's streets under the scheme - but that didn't stop the two ministers joking
Shabana Mahmood and Wes Streeting have been caught laughing about Labour’s early prison release scheme in an embarrassing hot mic moment.
In newly-obtained footage, Mr Streeting can be heard saying: "You know he’s the enemy now, Justice Shabana?"
The new Defence Secretary said: "He wants to let them all out."
The group of senior Labour ministers could heard roaring with laughter throughout the exchange, unearthed by the Metro.
From September, Labour will implement legal changes to see criminals guilty of serious offences released early for the first time.
The proposal means thousands of criminals, including rapists and killers, will be released early from prison.
This includes prisoners convicted of manslaughter, rape, GBH and sex offences - who will be eligible for release just halfway through their sentences.
Prisoners will be first evaluated on behaviour and will be deemed ineligible for release if they have committed any serious rule breaches behind bars.
In response to the hot mic moment, Ms Mahmood wrote on social media: "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."
Mr Streeting also took to social media, writing: "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."
PRISONERS ON BRITAIN'S STREETS - READ MORE:
He added: "But I appreciate these are very serious issues and am sorry for any offence inadvertently caused by this moment of levity."
The leaked exchange has sparked fury from the Tories and Reform UK.
Kemi 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."
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp slammed the "despicable" video.
He fumed: "Letting rapists out of prison early is not funny.
"They should both apologise - and cancel their early release plans for rapists."
Reform UK's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf also hit out at at footage, warning that it was "all a game" to the Labour Cabinet.
He wrote on social media: "Lewis Bell, a 26 year old father-of-one was stabbed to death in September 2024.
"His killer, Liam Matthews, had been released from prison that very morning, under Labour’s disgusting early release scheme.
"Releasing murderers, rapists and paedophiles early is ruining lives.
"Yet here are Labour’s Home Secretary and Minister of Defence cackling with laughter about it. They find it funny. To them, it's all a game."
