London: A clumsy joke has backfired on cabinet ministers soon after they were named to their posts by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, just as he vowed to set a new tone and direction for the government upon taking power this week.
The ministers were caught on video trading jokes about the early release of prisoners in a light-hearted conversation in London, but their banter provoked swift criticism when the video was leaked on social media.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting apologised for the gaffes after their opponents accused them of making light of a prison scandal that has outraged critics who do not want criminals released early.
It also cast a cloud over Burnham’s attempts to win support from voters in his first days in office, starting with decisions to cut taxes on household electricity bills and reduce bus fares.
Burnham has rewarded allies in a cabinet reshuffle that has removed some of the ministers who were closest to his predecessor, Keir Starmer, in moves that have cheered the new leader’s supporters on the progressive side of the Labour Party.
The video appeared to be news footage taken from a distance, with audio from a boom microphone, while ministers spoke after they were confirmed in their posts, apparently unaware their words could be recorded.
Streeting was speaking with Mahmood and the new Justice Secretary, Alex Norris, when he made a remark about prisoner release.
Streeting suggested to Mahmood that Norris was “the enemy” and wanted to “let them all out” – an apparent reference to the Justice Secretary’s role in the early release of prisoners.
Mahmood replied: “No, he’s not.” The three laughed at the quip.
While they did not make light of a serious case of early prisoner release, the social media video sparked criticism from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who pointed to headlines on Wednesday about convicted murderers being released early.
“Yesterday Cabinet ministers were joking about letting criminals out of jail early,” she said on Wednesday morning (about 6.30pm, AEST).
“Burnham has already said he doesn’t think rapists and paedophiles should be out early. I sincerely hope that extends to the killers of emergency workers.”
Badenoch cited the news that the two killers, who murdered police constable Andrew Harper seven years ago, could be set free under the Labour early-release policy to ease overcrowding in prisons.
Streeting apologised on X for the remark and said he had been referring to a similar joke shared by Conservative ministers when former prime minister Theresa May talked about prison release with former minister Kenneth Clarke.
“I hope everyone can see there was no ill intent behind this ribbing of the new Justice Secretary,” he said.
“But I appreciate these are very serious issues and am sorry for any offence inadvertently caused by this moment of levity.”
Streeting posted a news story with the remark by May as prime minister in 2017 when she joked about Clarke in the House of Commons. “When I was Home Secretary and he was Justice Secretary, I used to say that I locked ’em up and he let ’em out,” she told the House.
Mahmood also apologised and blamed the Conservatives for the challenges in the justice system.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
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David Crowe is Europe correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via X or email.
