Sadiq Khan MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary commenting on the revelation that the Ministry of Justice has kept prisoners in police cells despite claims to the contrary, said:

“This is very embarrassing for David Cameron and his Ministers. Chris Grayling gave assurances that prisoners weren’t being kept in police cells on his watch, yet the facts show otherwise. This is Operation Safeguard by the backdoor, and the Justice Secretary needs to explain why he has misled MPs.
 
“Because the Government has closed down so many prisons so quickly, they’re running out of space to lock up criminals. Relying on police stations and court cells shows the failure of their policies. Not only is this much more expensive but police stations do not properly punish and reform criminals. With prison numbers on the rise, people deserve to know where ministers plan to lock up prisoners in the future and that their safety won’t be put at risk by a shortage of spaces in jails”