Moment of contrition: Lammy insisted he’d already obliged with that request. “In the debate, of course, I said sorry for the anxiety caused whilst Kebatu was at large, and I repeat that.” Who knew a direct question could get a direct answer?
Not so fast: But the shadow defence secretary made clear Kebatu’s quick capture wasn’t good enough — and his timing was astute. Cartlidge wanted Lammy to guarantee that “no other asylum-seeking offender has been accidentally let out of prison” since the mistaken release.
This may be why: Just after their exchange, the Telegraph reported a manhunt was underway for an Algerian asylum seeker mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth last week, but the Met Police was only informed on Tuesday. The Met has now confirmed the story.
Hell yes, I’m tough enough: Aware that his question had gone unanswered – Lammy instead slammed Cartlidge’s tenure as a justice minister “who let our prisons get into that state in the first place” — the Tory rep had another go. Lammy spoke only about about implementing the “toughest checks we have ever had in the prison system” and ripped into the “complicated system” introduced by, obvs, the Tories.
Trappings of office: If at first you don’t succeed, try again. “He’s the justice secretary. He’s responsible for the justice system. He needs to take responsibility,” the shadow defense secretary boomed. “Get a grip, man!” Lammy … boomed back. “I know I’m the justice secretary. That’s why I’m at the despatch box.”
Six not out: Speaker Lindsay Hoyle originally went back to Cartlidge even after all six of the questions had been asked (if not answered). Much hilarity ensued as the Tory spokesperson briefly rose to the despatch box … before getting slapped down by the speaker. Admittedly, few people kept count, given it was a variation on the same question again and again.
Helpful backbench intervention of the week: Erewash MP Adam Thompson praised the national minimum wage increase despite Tory and Reform UK’s opposition, asking whether any of Nigel Farage’s extra jobs paid below the minimum wage. Lammy, no changes here, took the bait and laid into the Reform UK chief’s outside earnings accordingly.
Totally unscientific scores on the doors: Lammy 5/10. Cartlidge 6/10. Who knows whether Cartlidge had a tip-off about the Telegraph’s scoop — but Lammy’s inability to provide certainty about mistaken releases became clearer after the revelation.
