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: The shadow defence secretary made clear Kebatu’s quick capture wasn’t good enough. Cartlidge wanted Lammy, the justice secretary after all, to guarantee that “no other asylum-seeking offender has been accidentally let out of prison” since the mistaken release. Answer, er, came there none. The justice secretary slammed Cartlidge’s former tenure as a justice minister, “who let our prisons get into that state in the first place.”
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.
Hell yes, I’m tough enough: Aware that his question had gone unanswered, Cartlidge had another go, given how embarrassing Kebatu’s release was for the government. Lammy spoke 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 — Cartlidge channeled interviewing legend Jeremy Paxman, no matter how awkward it became. “He’s the justice secretary. He’s responsible for the justice system. He needs to take responsibility,” the shadow defense secretary stressed. “Get a grip, man!” Lammy boomed back. “I know I’m the justice secretary. That’s why I’m at the despatch box.” Just wait till you get back to the MoJ …
As per: There was the usual back and forth as Cartlidge continued probing and Lammy slammed his questioning efforts. “I spent 14 years in opposition, and I did a hell of a lot better than he has just done,” Lammy said, though MPs, hacks, and the public were left none the wiser until the Telegraph’s story broke.