Wes Streeting has said there was "no ill intent" behind comments he made about the early prisoner release scheme, which were caught on camera. The remarks, made in a video published by Guido Fawkes, involved the new Justice Secretary Alex Norris and the home secretary, Mahmood, and prompted criticism from the Conservatives.
What was heard on the hot mic?
In the video, Alex Norris can be seen walking towards Streeting and Mahmood and being greeted by the home secretary. Streeting, the new defence secretary, can then be heard calling Norris "the enemy now" while the Mahmood responds "no he's not".
Streeting goes on to say "he wants to let them all out" - appearing to reference the government's plans for early release for prisoners. The comments were made during an apparently joking exchange that was later shared publicly.
How have the Conservatives responded?
The comments have been criticised by Kemi Badenoch for making light of the scheme, which her party is in staunch opposition of. Badenoch argued that the exchange showed a lack of seriousness about a policy the Conservatives say they will continue to oppose.
"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,"
the Conservative leader wrote on X.
What have Streeting and Mahmood said in response?
Streeting and Mahmood have both apologised for the comments caught on the hot mic with both labelling the early release scheme a "serious issue". Streeting said the exchange was not intended to cause offence and was a reference to an old joke.
"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,"
the defence secretary said in a post on X.
"But I appreciate these are very serious issues and am sorry for any offence inadvertently caused by this moment of levity".
Mahmood also apologised and said there had been no ill intent behind the remark.
"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."
Why does the row matter?
The exchange has drawn attention because it touched on the government's plans for early prisoner release, a policy the Conservatives oppose strongly. Both Streeting and Mahmood sought to stress that their comments were not meant to undermine the seriousness of the issue.
