Burnham's first 48 hours as PM implode: Hot mic prison release joke sparks fury

On Wednesday’s episode of The Daily T, Camilla Tominey and Tim Stanley discuss the hot mic blunder in which Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, and Wes Streeting, the Defence Secretary, were caught on camera joking about early prison releases.

The timing of the incident could not have been worse for Andy Burnham, the new Prime Minister, on day three of his premiership. Anger over the Cabinet members’ poorly placed joke also came within hours of The Telegraph’s report that two of Pc Andrew Harper’s killers were amongst the criminals set to be freed under Labour’s plans to tackle prison overcrowding.

As the new PM vows to review the early prisoner release policy, Camilla and Tim examine the fundamental flaws in Labour’s approach to justice.

They also discuss how Mr Burnham’s regime can better handle communications crises with Guto Harri, Downing Street’s former head of communications under Boris Johnson.

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Studio Operator: Meghan Searle

Producers: Emma Williams and David Levene

Video Producer: Will Walters

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Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman

Editor: Camilla Tominey

Highlights

• Shabana Mahmood and Wes Streeting apologise after being caught on camera joking about early prison releases
• Andy Burnham to review Labour's early prison release policy after The Telegraph reveals two of Pc Harper's killers amongst those being considered to be freed

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