PMQs: Poppy Mayhem and Miscounted Questions
With Prime Minister Keir Starmer attending the COP 30 climate summit in Brazil, the 5th November PMQs saw unusual disruptions as deputies replaced the usual figures.
Deputies Step In
Labour was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy, who made history as the first black person to answer Prime Minister’s Questions on behalf of the government. The Conservative side was represented by the less known Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, James Cartlidge.
Focus on Asylum Issues
Cartlidge dedicated all six of his questions to asylum matters, highlighting the controversy surrounding the Epping hotel and the mishandling of Hadush Kebatu’s release.
“Kebatu was a migrant from Ethiopia and arrived in the UK on a small boat in June of this year.”
Kebatu was housed in the Bell Hotel in Epping after arriving. In July, he was arrested for the sexual assault of a teenage girl, which led to anti-immigration protests outside the hotel and a council attempt to stop using the hotel for asylum seekers.
In September, Kebatu was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. However, on 24th October, he was mistakenly released, triggering a police manhunt. He has since been re-arrested and deported to Ethiopia.
Summary
The 5th November PMQs highlighted significant disruptions and asylum controversies, with historic firsts and intense political exchanges between deputies filling in for absent leaders.
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