Ms Swinson was also criticised over radical plans to scrap prison sentences for knife crime. Former Conservative policing minister Sir Mike Penning said: “Everyone’s in favour of rehabilitating prisoners but this is utter lunacy from Jo Swinson’s party. How can you jail a man for a particular offence, but not a woman?

“Also, what exactly is the Lib Dems’ definition of ‘serious’ crime that would merit jailing women?”

Sir Mike added: “It is crazy to end prison sentences for the possession of drugs for personal use and madness to end mandatory jail sentences for the possession of knives. Don’t the Lib Dems know that drugs and violent crime are intimately linked?”

The proposals, aimed at easing prison overcrowding, are to be debated at the Lib Dem conference later this year. The party stressed they are not yet official policy. Justice spokeswoman Wera Hobhouse said: “Prisons are overcrowded and understaffed. It’s no wonder that 48 per cent of people who leave prison reoffend within a year.”

Deputy Tory chairman Paul Scully, said: “It’s astonishing the Lib Dems want to scrap mandatory sentences for carrying knives and acid. It shows they are a soft choice on crime.”

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is looking at “mega prisons” to help create more places in jails. He also wants to promote the Conservatives as the party of law and order ahead of a potential general election.

Boris Johnson is seeking to take a tougher stance than his predecessor Theresa May and will scrap former justice secretary David Gauke’s

plan to abolish jail sentences of six months or less for all but the most serious criminals.

During the Tory leadership campaign, Mr Johnson vowed to keep sexual and violent offenders in jail for longer.

He has already pledged £100million on improved airport-style security in jails, including X-ray scanners and metal detectors, to prevent drugs, weapons and mobile phones getting into jails. He also wants to strengthen the Counter Corruption Unit.

Mr Johnson said: “We cannot allow our prisons to become factories for making bad people worse.

“We will stop the drugs, weapons and the mobile phones coming in, so we can safeguard victims, protect staff, cut violence and make our prisons properly equipped to reform and rehabilitate.”

The Ministry of Justice said the cash would be made available from the Treasury immediately.

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