PMQs: Poppy Mayhem and Miscounted Questions
With Prime Minister Keir Starmer attending the COP 30 climate summit in Brazil, the 5th November PMQs were marked by disruption as deputies stepped in for both parties. Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy represented Labour, while Tory Shadow Secretary of State for Defence James Cartlidge took the Conservative side.
Historic moment for Labour
David Lammy made history as the first black person to answer Prime Minister's Questions on behalf of the government, standing at the dispatch box in Starmer's absence.
Conservative focus on asylum
James Cartlidge directed all six of his questions on asylum issues to the government. He highlighted the recent Epping hotel controversy 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 accommodated at the Bell Hotel in Epping.
- In July, Kebatu was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
- This arrest led to anti-immigration protests near the hotel and a legal challenge by the council to block using the hotel for asylum seekers.
- Kebatu was sentenced to 12 months in prison in September.
- On 24th October, he was mistakenly released, causing a police manhunt.
- He has since been re-arrested and deported to Ethiopia.
"Kebatu was a migrant from Ethiopia and arrived in the UK on a small boat in June of this year. Following his arrival, Kebatu was accommodated in the Bell Hotel in Epping. In July, Kebatu was arrested and charged with the sexual assault of a teenage girl."
"On the 24th October he was mistakenly released, sparking a police manhunt. He has since been re-arrested and deported to Ethiopia."
The event exposed tensions around immigration policies and accommodation of asylum seekers in the UK.
Author's summary
This week’s PMQs revealed political challenges over asylum issues and marked a historic moment with David Lammy becoming the first black deputy to answer on behalf of the government.
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