Robert Jenrick: Labour has only increased its popularity with released criminals

Robert Jenrick said Labour has only increased its popularity with criminals as he demanded an apology for the government’s early release scheme in his first outing at the despatch box as shadow justice secretary.

Hours after his appointment was officially announced, Jenrick asked the government to detail the number of sex offenders and domestic abusers that had been let out of prison under its early release scheme.

He said: “Can I belatedly congratulate the front bench on their appointments? I’ve been a little busy over the summer. But during that time the only group this Labour government’s popularity has increased with is criminals.”

He added: “How many domestic abusers and sex offenders who were released under their early release scheme have gone on to re-offend? And would they like to apologise to the victims?”

The victims minister, Alex Davies-Jones, responded: “He seems to have a very short memory. I believe it is he who should be apologising to the country as a whole on behalf of his government’s woeful, absolute abuse of our justice system and our prisons.”

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