A Conservative member made a comical blunder by mistakenly requesting an additional question during PMQs, causing amusement among fellow MPs. The incident unfolded when James Cartlidge sought Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s attention after exhausting his allotted six questions. Acting as the Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary in place of Kemi Badenoch, Cartlidge’s error was playfully ridiculed by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.
During his debut appearance at PMQs, Lammy humorously remarked on Cartlidge’s counting abilities, comparing him to another member who struggled with numbers. The Speaker had to intervene to clarify that Cartlidge had indeed used up his allowed questions.
After the session, Sir Lindsay confirmed Cartlidge’s mistake and pointed out the error. The exchange occurred amid a heated exchange where Lammy advised his Conservative counterpart to “get a grip.” Lammy was standing in for Keir Starmer, while Cartlidge represented Kemi Badenoch.
In a tense exchange, Cartlidge repeatedly inquired about erroneous releases of asylum seekers following the incident with Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian sex offender mistakenly set free from HMP Chelmsford. Lammy, responding to Cartlidge’s persistence, emphasized the need for accountability within the justice system.
After a call for an apology, Lammy expressed regret for any distress caused and highlighted the need to address past shortcomings in the prison system. The exchange underscored the ongoing challenges in the justice sector that both parties sought to address.