A Conservative member made an amusing blunder by attempting to request an additional question during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) after exhausting his allotted number, causing laughter among fellow MPs. The confusion arose when James Cartlidge sought the attention of Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle for an extra question after already posing his designated six queries. Serving as the Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary in place of Kemi Badenoch, Cartlidge’s actions were met with jest from Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.
In a light-hearted moment during his first appearance at PMQs, Lammy humorously remarked on Cartlidge’s inability to count, drawing comparisons to another member. The Speaker intervened to confirm that Cartlidge had indeed reached his limit of questions, putting an end to the confusion.
The incident occurred amidst a heated exchange between Lammy and Cartlidge, with the former urging the latter to “get a grip.” Cartlidge, representing Badenoch, repeatedly pressed Lammy on the release of asylum seekers following an incident involving Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian sex offender mistakenly set free from HMP Chelmsford, prompting a search operation before his eventual recapture and deportation.
During the exchange, Cartlidge emphasized Lammy’s role as Justice Secretary and called for accountability regarding the handling of asylum-seeking offenders. Lammy responded by acknowledging his responsibility and addressing concerns raised, highlighting a need for improvement within the justice system.
Following calls for an apology, Lammy expressed regret for any distress caused, attributing part of the current issues to past decisions by Cartlidge when he held a position in the justice ministry. The dialogue underscored the ongoing challenges in the justice system and the collective effort required to address them effectively.