Lammy’s PMQs calamity as second migrant prisoner released in error | The Daily T

Key Concepts

• Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs): A weekly session in the UK Parliament where the Prime Minister answers questions from Members of Parliament.
• Accidental Prison Release: The erroneous release of an inmate from prison.
• Asylum Seeker Offender: An individual seeking asylum who has also committed a criminal offense.
• Justice Secretary: The government minister responsible for the justice system.
• Shadow Defence Secretary: The opposition party's spokesperson on defense matters.
• Point of Order: A procedural motion raised in Parliament to draw attention to a breach of the rules or to seek clarification.
• Institutional Failure: A systemic breakdown in processes or procedures within an organization or government.

Summary of Proceedings

The Kabatu Case and the PMQs Session

The discussion centers on the accidental release of a foreign criminal, identified as Kabatu, from a UK prison. This incident became a focal point during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs). The question posed to the Justice Secretary, David Lammy, was whether he could reassure the House that no other asylum-seeking offenders had been accidentally released since Kabatu's release.

The PMQs session itself is described as "bizarre" and one that "spun on a dime." This was partly due to the absence of the usual participants. Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition, was attending an environmental summit (COP) in Brazil along with Sadiq Khan and Prince William. Consequently, David Lammy was standing in for Starmer at the dispatch box. Similarly, James Cartlidge, the Shadow Defence Secretary, was standing in for the usual questioner. Cartlidge is noted for his "strong hair" and eyebrows, a characteristic that the speaker had previously highlighted in a sketch.

James Cartlidge's Persistent Questioning

James Cartlidge's primary line of questioning revolved around the accidental release of prisoners. He repeatedly asked the Justice Secretary, David Lammy, if he could reassure the House that no other asylum-seeking offenders had been accidentally released since the Kabatu incident. The transcript indicates that Cartlidge asked this question a total of six times, with the Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, intervening to confirm the count. This persistent repetition tested the patience of the House.

David Lammy's Response and Defense

David Lammy, as the Justice Secretary, was tasked with responding to Cartlidge's questions. Initially, Lammy appeared to handle the situation well, with the speaker noting that he "had a very good PMQs." Lammy's defense strategy involved deflecting blame, suggesting that prisoner releases were a consequence of past Conservative government reforms (referring to "Chris Graing reforms") that had "denigrated prisons" by removing experienced staff. He argued that the current government had "instituted the strongest checks in prisons possible." Lammy also asserted his role as Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, stating that it was Dame Anne Owers, a former Deputy Commissioner in London and head of the NCA, who was tasked with investigating these matters. He also pointed out that there had been "spikes since 2021 under his watch" and questioned when the previous government had apologized for such issues.

The Poppy Incident

A minor but notable incident during Lammy's participation in PMQs involved his attire. It was observed that he was not wearing a poppy at the beginning of the session. Messages were received by the speaker noting this absence. By the time these messages came through, a poppy had appeared on Lammy's lapel. He later explained that he had bought a new suit for Remembrance Day, and it did not initially have a poppy attached. This explanation was met with some skepticism, with the speaker questioning why, if poppy wearing was so important, he hadn't ensured he had one on from the start. Lammy's anecdotal style was also highlighted, with an example of him stating "I'm 5% Scottish" when a question about Scotland arose.

The Breaking News: A Second Accidental Release

The dynamic of the PMQs session dramatically shifted when a breaking news alert was received by the speaker and other MPs. The Telegraph had published a story at 12:30 PM, approximately half an hour after the PMQs session concluded, revealing that a second foreign prisoner had been accidentally released from prison. This news broke shortly after the initial discussion about Kabatu's release from HMP Chelmsford.

The second individual is described as a 24-year-old Algerian man who had been held at HMP Wandsworth and was accidentally freed the previous Wednesday. The Metropolitan Police were only informed of this release on the Tuesday of the same week.

Implications and Questions Arising

This revelation had significant implications:

• Lammy's Awareness: It raised questions about whether David Lammy was aware of this second prisoner's release while he was at the dispatch box, and if this knowledge contributed to his evasive answers and deflection tactics.
• Cartlidge's Foresight: It also prompted speculation about whether James Cartlidge had prior knowledge of this breaking story, which would explain his relentless focus on the issue of accidental releases. The speaker leans towards the former, suggesting Cartlidge's persistence was a matter of "strong hair big luck" rather than pre-knowledge.
• Institutional Failure: The repeated incidents underscored a broader issue of "institutional failure" within the prison system. The government was seen as "drowning in it." The speaker argued that while reforms under the previous Conservative government might have contributed to issues, the current government, having been in power for over a year, could not solely blame the Tories for ongoing problems. Both Labour and Conservative parties are characterized as part of the "establishment" and "system," rather than parties advocating for radical change.

The Telegraph's Role

The speaker took the opportunity to "blow a little trumpet" for The Telegraph, highlighting their role in breaking the story of the second migrant on the loose, following another significant exposé by Gordon Ramsay. This is presented as a positive development for journalism.

Call to Action

The summary concludes with a direct appeal to the public: if anyone has seen the 24-year-old Algerian man who should be in HMP Wandsworth, they should contact their local constabulary.