PMQs: Poppy Mayhem and Miscounted Questions
With Prime Minister Keir Starmer attending the COP 30 climate summit in Brazil, the latest PMQs on 5 November turned into a turbulent session for both parties as deputies stepped in to take the lead. The atmosphere was charged and unpredictable, reflecting the absence of both Starmer and usual Conservative opponent Kemi Badenoch.
Deputies at the Dispatch Box
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy represented the government, making history as the first Black politician to answer Prime Minister’s Questions on behalf of the administration. Across the aisle, the Conservatives were fronted by Shadow Secretary of State for Defence James Cartlidge, a less well-known figure in Westminster.
Focus on Asylum Policy
Cartlidge centred all six of his questions around asylum issues. He brought particular attention to the controversy surrounding the Bell Hotel in Epping and the mishandled release of Ethiopian migrant Hadush Kebatu.
“Kebatu, who arrived in the UK by small boat in June, was housed in the Bell Hotel before being arrested a month later and charged with the sexual assault of a teenage girl,”
Following Kebatu’s arrest, the case fueled anti-immigration protests outside the hotel and prompted a court challenge aimed at halting its use for asylum accommodation. After being sentenced to 12 months in prison in September, Kebatu was mistakenly released on 24 October, leading to a national police manhunt. He was later re-arrested and deported to Ethiopia.
Political Fallout and Significance
The mix-up added new pressure on the government’s asylum management and detention oversight. Lammy faced a tough round of questions but maintained composure as both sides struggled with substitute leadership at the despatch box.
Author’s summary: A chaotic PMQs without Starmer or Badenoch saw David Lammy make history while a release blunder in the asylum system dominated debate and revealed government strain.