Badenoch demands emergency law to block September prisoner releases, pledges Tory backing

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to pass emergency legislation before 1 September, recalling Parliament if needed, to stop around 700 prisoners in England and Wales — including violent and sexual offenders — being freed early. Badenoch pledged Conservative support for such a bill. Burnham paused the scheme last week; the Conservatives say his review will not stop releases.