Two UK cabinet ministers apologise after hot-mic jokes about prisoner early release scheme

A video first published by Guido Fawkes on 21 July 2026 shows Defence Secretary Wes Streeting calling new Justice Secretary Alex Norris "the enemy now" and saying "He wants to let them all out," referencing the Sentencing Act early release scheme set for September 2026. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood replied "no he's not." Both apologised. Victims' advocates condemned the remarks, with Rape Crisis CEO Ciara Bergman calling early release of convicted rapists "no laughing matter."