Sadiq Khan MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, responding to the news that two prisoners have absconded from Hatfield Prison, said:

“Three sets of prisoners absconding in just three weeks shows the true scale of David Cameron’s Government’s incompetence. It’s crucial they’re recaptured as quickly as possible but the public have lost confidence in this Government being able to do even the most basic things right. This is now beyond a joke and a full, independent and immediate inquiry into these escapes is the only way the public’s confidence can hope to be restored.

"It growing clearer by the day that Ministers are no longer in control of their own department. Chris Grayling’s regime at the Ministry of Justice has turned into an utter shambles. On this government’s watch the rules on who can be in open prisons and released on licence have been relaxed. And with increased overcrowding and deep cuts to prison officers corners are being cut and the public’s safety is being put at risk. Chris Grayling is usually quick to seek an easy headline but his silence on this matter is deafening - he seems to have no answers whatsoever.”