"There was a sense Number 10 had been caught off-guard when they had to react to the news of the released prisoner moments after the story broke. Amid repeated questions over who knew what and when at the regular briefing following PMQs on Wednesday, journalists were referred to the statement from the Metropolitan Police detailing the incident. The prime minister's official spokesman told reporters "one mistaken release is one too many" and pointed to the review that has already been launched."
"The prisoner released in error from HMP Wandsworth was not an asylum seeker, The Independent understands. The 24-year-old Algerian national was freed from the southwest London prison by mistake last Wednesday. Details of his criminal history have not been confirmed. It comes after a total of 262 people were released in error from prisons in England and Wales in the year to March 2024, according to official figures."
A 24-year-old Algerian national was mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth and is not an asylum seeker. The release occurred last Wednesday and details of the individual’s criminal history remain unconfirmed. The incident prompted an immediate review and a spokesman described the outcome as unacceptable, saying "one mistaken release is one too many." It is understood David Lammy was aware overnight, while Conservative sources knew 15–20 minutes before PMQs, prompting calls for the deputy prime minister to answer questions in the Commons. HMP Wandsworth previously received an urgent notification citing systemic and cultural failures and poor leadership; 262 erroneous releases occurred year to March 2024.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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