Ann Widdecombe told Reform UK delegates that prisonser should be put in disused holiday camps if there is a prison population crisis, not let out early.

Ms Widdecombe, the party’s immigration and justice spokesman – and a former minister for prisons – slammed the Labour Government’s choices.

She reflected on her own record in Government, including hiring a prison ship from the USA, which Labour criticised and then used for many years after winning the 1997 election.

She blasted: “You take temporary measures to supply those new places. It isn’t rocket science!”

“I even suggested, but the election got in the way, that they could take over a disused holiday camp.

“You put a security perimeter, and lo, you’ve got a low-security prison. Of course, you do take away the swimming pool and the cinema before that.”