Prisoner Release Checks Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Prisoner Release Checks

Luke Evans Excerpts
Monday 27th October 2025

(2 days, 7 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lammy Portrait Mr Lammy
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As I have said, it is right and proper that the Home Office has a thorough regime for skilled workers, and I support it in that endeavour. It is also important that we have the bank of prison officers that we need, and it is my job to ensure that we have that, whether they are able to come from abroad or—as the vast majority do—from our own country.

Luke Evans Portrait Dr Luke Evans (Hinckley and Bosworth) (Con)
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There are almost a dozen pages in the statement and the Secretary of State has taken questions for almost an hour, but there is one word that I have not heard: “sorry”. That is really important, particularly for the 14-year-old victim and her father. The Justice Secretary has said a number of times that he has personally reached out and thanked the police. Has he personally reached out to the victims? Has he tried to speak to them? Has he tried to say sorry?

David Lammy Portrait Mr Lammy
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Of course I am sorry—sorry that any victim of crime had the anxious weekend that they had. It was important for me to ensure that police liaison were in touch with them, and I am grateful to Essex police for doing that. It is also important to me that Lynne Owens is able to speak to them so that their concerns are reflected in her full and final report.