Shabana Mahmood and Wes Streeting in the Downing Street garden with fellow cabinet member Angela Eagle. Andy Burnham has slapped down two of his cabinet minister after they were caught on a hot mic joking about the early release of prisoners. Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood were forced to apologise over their remarks, which were recorded in the Downing Street garden following the first meeting of the prime minister’s new cabinet. Referring to new justice secretary Alex Norris, defence secretart Streeting said: “You know he’s the enemy now he’s at justice, Shabana? He wants to let them all out.” Laughing, home secretary Mahmood replied: “No he’s not.” When she was justice secretary after the 2024 election, Mahmood approved the early release of thousands of prisoners to ease overcrowding in jails. In a post on X, Streeting said the exchange was a reference to comments made by former Tory prime minister Theresa May about Ken Clarke, who served as justice secretary in David Cameron’s government. She said: “When I was home secretary and he was justice secretary, I used to say that I locked ’em up and he let ’em out.” In a statement posted on X on Tuesday night, Streeting said: “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. “But I appreciate these are very serious issues and am sorry for any offence inadvertently caused by this moment of levity.” Mahmood said: “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.” Asked on Wednesday whether the pair’s comments were acceptable, Burnham said: “No, it’s not, and certainly that’s been acknowledged, and apologies have been made.” The row came as the PM announced he was reviewing the early release scheme after it emerged two men jailed for killing a police officer could be let out of prison before the end of their sentences. PC Andrew Harper was 28 years old when he sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019. The driver of the vehicle which caused his death, Henry Long, received a 16-year sentence, and will not be eligible for early release. But Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were passengers in the car and handed 13 years in custody for manslaughter after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2020, could be let out early. PC Harper’s widow, Lissie, said: “It is deplorable to me that we have reached a point where releasing prisoners early is even considered acceptable. “We speak of justice, accountability and standing with victims, yet decisions like this do the opposite. “They tell victims their suffering matters less, and offenders that the punishment handed down by our courts is no longer what they will actually serve.” Burnham said he would “review the whole of this policy” before it proceeds. “I can’t say that I can change the policy completely, but I will look at it in detail before we go further forward.” Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... Andy Burnham Hands Peerage To Senior Labour Figure Who Called On Starmer To Quit Bus Fares To Be Capped At £2 In Andy Burnham's Latest Bid To Tackle Cost Of Living Labour Wipes Out Reform UK Poll Lead As Party Enjoys 'Burnham Bounce'