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Secretaries Apologize for Hot-Mic Joke on Early Release Plan

7/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood apologized after a hot-mic joke about the early-prisoner release plan.
The plan would free about 5,500-6,000 inmates after they serve 40 percent of their sentences.
British prisons operate at over 99 percent capacity with fewer than 300 cells free.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the jokes disgusting and vowed to fight the policy.

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Story summary

Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood apologized after a hot-mic joke about the early-prisoner release plan.
The plan would free about 5,500-6,000 inmates after they serve 40 percent of their sentences.
British prisons operate at over 99 percent capacity with fewer than 300 cells free.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the jokes disgusting and vowed to fight the policy.