PMQs: Poppy Mayhem and Miscounted Questions
With both Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch absent, the Prime Minister's Questions on 5th November presented challenges for both parties as deputies stepped in. Keir Starmer was attending the COP 30 climate summit in Brazil.
Deputies at the Dispatch Box
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. For the Conservatives, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence James Cartlidge took the floor.
Conservative Focus on Asylum
Cartlidge dedicated all six of his questions to asylum issues, highlighting the controversy surrounding the Epping hotel and the mishandled release of Hadush Kebatu.
The Hadush Kebatu Case
- Hadush Kebatu, a migrant from Ethiopia, arrived in the UK on a small boat in June 2025.
- He was housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping.
- In July, Kebatu was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
- This arrest sparked anti-immigration protests outside the hotel and led to a court case where the council tried to ban the hotel's use for asylum seekers.
- In September, Kebatu was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
- On 24th October, he was mistakenly released, prompting a police manhunt.
- Kebatu was later re-arrested and deported to Ethiopia.
"Cartlidge chose to focus all six of his questions on asylum."
"Lammy made history as the first ever Black person to answer Prime Minister’s questions on behalf of the government."
This week’s PMQs highlighted the difficulties faced by deputies in high-pressure situations and brought asylum-related controversies back under the spotlight.