Robert Jenrick accuses David Lammy of ‘covering up’ accidental release of Algerian sex attacker
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has accused David Lammy of “covering up” the accidental release of an Algerian sex attacker from HMP Wandsworth.
Mr Jenrick penned a letter to the Justice Secretary demanding answers to seven key questions.
He also said: “Under the Ministerial Code, you have a duty to Parliament to account for the actions of your department and agencies with candour and openness. Will you now return to Parliament this afternoon, to provide a full account of what has happened.”
Mr Lammy believed it would have been irresponsible to talk about the mistaken release of a second foreign prisoner while details were still emerging.
The Ministry of Justice told GB News the Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary found out about the error at HMP Wandsworth overnight.
However he declined to answer repeated questions at PMQs about whether any further migrants were released mistakenly because information was still emerging about the “complicated” case involving multiple agencies, sources said.
Both Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have demanded David Lammy return to the Commons this afternoon to address the ongoing situation.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s spokesman told reporters: “I think he should issue a statement as soon as possible.”
He added: “I think, given that he had five opportunities to tell the House and the public what the hell was going on and ducked those opportunities, he needs to come back to the House as soon as possible.”
Lib Dems’ justice spokesperson Jess Brown-Fuller MP said: “This is yet another grave mistake from the government. The public deserves a full explanation about how this happened again.
“This should start with David Lammy coming before Parliament this afternoon for why he failed to answer this pressing question in PMQs as well as a full explanation of how it took almost a week for this to come to light.”
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WATCH: Shadow Science Secretary, Julia Lopez MP reacts to David Lammy choosing to ‘sling mud’
David Lammy in embarrassing cock-up after he’s caught without poppy in PMQs
David Lammy was left having to borrow a poppy to wear on his lapel halfway through PMQs.
The Deputy Prime Minister appeared to have forgotten to wear a poppy for Remembrance and was forced to borrow one from Sunderland South MP and Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson.
He started PMQs without a poppy on his lapel, but appeared to have been handed one to display partway through.
Mr Lammy later appeared to explain why he did not have a poppy as he told the Commons he had bought a new suit for his first appearance deputising for PMQs. He thanked Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, for having leant him one.
He told the Commons: “I bought a new suit this morning because my Godmother said she would be watching.
“I am very grateful to the honourable member for Sunderland South for ensuring that despite wearing a new suit I have managed to put my poppy on.”
Liberal Democrats demand David Lammy return to Commons to make emergency statement
The Liberal Democrats have joined the Conservatives in calling for David Lammy to return to the Commons today to make a statement on the prisoner release.
Justice spokeswoman Jess Brown-Fuller said: “This is yet another grave mistake from the Government.
“The public deserves a full explanation about how this has happened again.
“That should start with David Lammy coming back before Parliament this afternoon for why he failed to answer this pressing question in PMQs as well as a full explanation of how it took almost a week for this to come to light.”
David Lammy breaks silence over second foreign criminal release
David Lammy made his PMQs debut
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PA
The Justice Secretary said: “I am absolutely outraged and appalled by the mistaken release of a foreign criminal wanted by the police.
“The Metropolitan Police is leading an urgent manhunt, and my officials have been working through the night to take him back to prison.
“Victims deserve better and the public deserve answers.
“That is why I have already brought in the strongest checks ever to clamp down on such failures and ordered an independent investigation, led by Dame Lynne Owens to uncover what went wrong and address the rise in accidental releases which has persisted for too long.
“This latest incident exposes deeper flaws across the failing criminal justice system we inherited.
“Dame Lynne Owens’ investigation will leave no stone unturned to identify these issues, so we can fix them, improve safeguards and ensure the public is properly protected.”
Downing Street says Sir Keir Starmer has ‘full confidence’ in David Lammy after PMQs
Downing Street has insisted that Sir Keir Starmer has “full confidence” in David Lammy after today’s Prime Minister’s Questions.
The spokesman also refused to say if Mr Lammy knew about the wrongly released prisoner before PMQs.
WATCH: David Lammy takes aim at Reform UK during PMQs
Nigel Farage blasts ‘total farce’ following accidental prisoner release
The Reform UK leader said: “Another dangerous criminal is on the loose thanks to Labour.
“What a total farce.”
Kemi Badenoch slams ‘shambles of a Government’ after second foreign offender wrongly released from prison
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has blasted what she called a “shambles of a Government” after a second foreign prisoner was mistakenly released from prison.
James Cartlidge repeatedly asked David Lammy whether any asylum seeker offenders has been released from prison, however the Justice Secretary refused to answer.
Badenoch said: “James Cartlidge asked the Deputy PM FIVE times to tell us if ANOTHER migrant sex offender had been accidentally released from prison.
“Instead of answering, Lammy lost his temper. Now we read it HAS happened again & he’s been on the run for a week. This is a shambles of a government.”
Urgent manhunt launched after ANOTHER foreign prisoner mistakenly released from jail
The 21-year-old escaped from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday | PA
A second foreign prisoner has been mistakenly released from prison at HMP Wandsworth in south London.
The error is said to have occurred on the October 29, just five days after Hadush Kebatu was wrongfully freed from HMP Chelmsford, sparking a two-day manhunt.
David Lammy pays tribute to Huntingdon train driver
Charlotte Nichols, MP for Warrington North, asked David Lammy about recognising the importance of rail crews in all the work in light of Johnson’s actions.
The train driver, Andrew Johnson, told ITV News, “I was only doing my job,” when asked about saving lives on board.
Mr Lammy said: “The actions of the driver, Andrew Johnson, and the train staff members, this is nothing less than heroic.
“I’m sure that the whole House would agree that some form of recognition is absolutely deserved.”
Nigel Farage gives thumbs up to David Lammy
Nigel Farage was in his seat during PMQs
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PARLIAMENT.TV
Nigel Farage, gave David Lammy a thumbs up as he suggested he was making “quite a lot of” money from gold bullion, according to the register of members’ interests.
The Deputy Prime Minister was asked by Labour MP for Erewash Adam Thompson what he thought of remarks by the Reform UK leader earlier this week in which he suggested he thought the minimum wage for young people was too high for businesses.
Mr Lammy replied: “I was looking at the Honourable Member for Clacton’s members interests and he’s making quite a lot out of gold bullion.
“You’ve got to ask, why does he want to cut the minimum wage for people who are not making even one per cent of what he is?
“The Labour Party is on the side of young people, boosting their wages and delivering the youth guarantee to help everyone realise their potential and I hope young people recognise what the two other parties want on their record.”
David Lammy forgot to wear Poppy at start of PMQs
David Lammy appeared to have forgotten to wear a Poppy for Remembrance while speaking to James Cartlidge.
He started PMQs without a Poppy on his lapel, but appeared to have been handed one to display partway through.
Mr Lammy later appeared to explain why he did not have a poppy as he told the Commons he had bought a new suit for his first appearance deputising for PMQs.
He thanked a colleague for having leant him one.
David Lammy skewered over budget by SNP
SNP’s leader in the Commons Stephen Flynn
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PARLIAMENT.TV
The SNP’s leader in the Commons Stephen Flynn said: “Can he confirm to the public that if they see anything suspicious on tax at the Budget they should report it.”
Mr Lammy responded: “The SNP will say anything to distract from their appalling record.
“We will see what is in the budget later on this month.”
David Lammy SLAMS ‘disgraceful, racist language’ from Reform UK MP
David Lammy has launched a furious attack on comments made by Reform UK MP, Sarah Pochin.
Chatham and Aylesford Labour MP Tristan Osborne asked if Kent “deserves so much better” than Nigel Farage’s party, which controls the council.
The Deputy Prime Minister joked that he saw Clacton MP Nigel Farage in his seat, adding it’s “maybe the first time I’ve seen him” at PMQs.
He says that in local councils, Reform are “delivering on the chaos they promised”, before hitting out at comments made by Sarah Pochin about TV adverts.
The Runcorn and Helsby MP said it drove her “mad” to see advertisements “full of black people, full of Asian people.”
Mr Lammy said: “The disgraceful, racist language that we heard from a Reform MP last week belongs to the dark ages.”
David Lammy highlights Tories ‘failures’ in prison system
David Lammy finished PMQs by taking a swipe at the Conservatives record on the prison system.
He said: “I’ve got to tell you, I spent 14 years in opposition, and I did a hell of a lot better than he has just done.
“I have answered the question. Under their watch, prisons were in a mess. Suicides went up.
“Prison officers cut. 20,000 neighbourhood polices lost. We’ve deported more in the last year than they deported in the last five years.”
David Lammy takes aim at Liberal Democrats
Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper asked David Lammy a question
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Parliament.tv
Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper asked David Lammy which he thinks is fairer: “Taxing struggling families, or taxing big banks?”
The deputy PM, as a fair few government voices have said recently, says he can’t pre-empt the chancellor ahead of her budget.
Instead, Lammy says that it was “under her government, in which they were in coalition with the Conservatives, that we saw austerity right across our country.”
David Lammy accuses Tories of leaving prisons ‘on brink of collapse’
David Lammy said: “I’ve got to tell you, I spent 14 years in opposite and I did a hell of a lot better than he’s just done. I have answered the question. Under their watch, prisons were in a mess.”
Mr Cartlidge repeats the question again for his sixth question and Mr Lammy again uses the opportunity to talk up what he claims Labour has done for law and order in the UK.
The Deputy Prime Minister responded saying the Tories left prisons: “On the brink of collapse, threatening to allow offenders to run wild on our streets”.
David Lammy is up to dispatch box for PMQs
David Lammy is up to the dispatch box for his first Prime Minister’s Questions.
He opened by begins by explaining the Prime Minister is on his way to Brazil for the Cop conference.
He also paid tribute to those impacted by the series of stabbings on the LNER train in Cambridgeshire over the weekend.
You can follow along with all the updates here on the live blog.
Your Party co-leaders hail ‘seismic victory’ of socialist Zohran Mamdani in New York
Your Party co-leaders Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana hailed the victory of Zohran Mamdani in New York City as “seismic.”
Mr Corbyn, the former Labour leader and MP for Islington North, said: “You ignited a grassroots campaign, built on the radical idea that everyone deserves to live in dignity.
“This is a seismic victory, not only for the people of New York, but for all those who believe that humanity & hope can prevail.”
Ms Sultana, the MP for Coventry South, shared an image of herself and Mr Mamdani, saying: “This is what socialist representation looks like!”
WATCH: Olivia Utley explains what taxes Rachel Reeves may raise in the upcoming budget
Kemi Badenoch’s stand in confirmed for PMQs
James Cartlidge will be standing in for Kemi Badenoch
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David Lammy will be facing off against James Cartlidge, as the two men fill in for their respective party leaders.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary is going against the Shadow Defence Secretary in their first bout at the dispatch box.
Mr Cartlidge, the MP for South Suffolk will be allocated six questions to ask Mr Lammy, before a Liberal Democrat representative, will get three questions.
Keir Starmer ‘must come clean to British public over true cost of digital ID’ amid warning scheme to cost over £1billion
Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to “come clean” over the true cost of the Government’s digital ID scheme.
Science Minister Lord Vallance has said the cost of introducing the IDs “will be met within the existing spending review, over the spending review period”.
But the former Chief Scientific Adviser has refused to reveal how much the scheme is actually expected to cost.
The last time a Labour Government proposed a national ID scheme, in 2004, official estimates put the cost at around £5.5billion over 10 years.
WATCH: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP explains why the Labour government are reforming the national curriculum
Zack Polanski says he will copy Zohran Mamdani’s tactics as he heaps praise on new NYC mayor
Zack Polanski praised Zohran Mamdani’s election victory as he suggested the Greens will copy his “relentless focus on equality” in future elections.
Mr Mamdani, the Democrat candidate, defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa to become New York City’s first Muslim mayor and the first of South Asian heritage.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Polanski said: “I feel like I’m grinning from ear to ear, it was a delightful moment where hope has triumphed…It was a relentless focus on equality and that’s exactly what we are going to do here.”
When asked if he was the “British Mamdani”, Mr Polanski responded: “He’s much cooler than I am.”
Rachel Reeves told to slap middle class earners with income tax raid to plug £50bn Budget hole
Rachel Reeves has come under fire from Reform UK | PA
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing calls to raise tax revenue from middle class earners to plug the estimated £50billion black hole in the public finances by a leading think tank.
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) has projected that Ms Reeves will need to abandon Labour’s election commitment by implementing a minimum 2p increase to the basic income tax rate.
As the Treasury looks for ways to adhere to the Chancellor’s strict fiscal rules for November 26’s Budget, NIESR is sounding the alarm Labour may face a £20billion to £30billion black hole.
Bridget Phillipson says Lucy Powell will do ‘great job’ after losing deputy Labour leadership election
Bridget Phillipson said she knows Lucy Powell will do a “great job” after losing out to her in the Labour Deputy Leadership by-election.
She told GB News: “We’re totally fine, when you stand in a contest you want to win.
“I’m disappointed to have lost but I know Lucy will do a great job.”
Bridget Phillipson says ‘we can’t go back to austerity’ as she takes swipe at Conservatives
Bridget Phillipson speaking to GB News this morning
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GB NEWS
Bridget Phillipson has said the UK cannot return to austerity as she took aim at the previous Conservative Government.
The Education Secretary told GB News: “Of course we take our commitments seriously. But on budget, I can’t comment or speculate, its in a few weeks time.
“What she was seeking to highlight in her speech yesterday was context of where we are and the damage that has been caused to our economy for years by austerity.
“The context is we can’t go back to more austerity, we do need to invest more in the things that matter to people.”
France is holding Britain ‘hostage’ over migrant deal in effort to squeeze more cash
France is said to be holding Britain “hostage” by stalling migrant deportations in an attempt to get more money under the recent “one in, one out” agreement.
A senior official in France is reportedly “dragging their feet and holding the deal hostage” demanding more cash before upholding their end of the bargain, according to The Sun.
The current three-year deal, which is worth around £476million, is being negotiated ahead of its expiry in March.
WATCH: Shadow Secretary for Business and Trade Andrew Griffith MP slams Labour’s economic policy
Labour and Tories annihilated in double Lancashire by-election blow
Both Labour and the Conservatives were humiliated as independent candidates romped to victory in a pair of Lancashire by-elections.
Shiraz Ahmed in the Lanehead ward and Musharaf Parvez in the Queenshead ward stormed to victory on Burnley Council.
What’s happening today in Westminster?
Good morning from all of us on the GB News Politics team.
Prime Minister’s Questions is taking place from noon today, with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy filling in for Sir Keir Starmer whilst he is travelling to Brazil for Cop30.
We’ll bring you all the analysis both here on the Live Blog and on PMQs Live where Tom and Gloria will be joined by Shadow Technology Secretary Julia Lopez.
The controversial Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life), aka assisted dying, Bill makes its way through Parliament as peers today will question pharmacy experts and lawyers on the bill.
Care Minister Stephen Kinnock, an outspoken supporter of the bill, will be grilled alongside Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty.
Elsewhere, Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East Joe Robertson has a 10-minute rule motion on the integration and regulation of ferry services.
Labour MP for Warrington North Charlotte Nichols has the adjournment debate on drug-related deaths.
Reform and Liberal Democrats neck-and-neck as Nigel Farage and Ed Davey eye up Super Thursday victory with 8 seats up for grabs
In the week that Rachel Reeves is coming under fire on her pre-Budget announcements, Labour could falter in another set of by-elections across the country.
Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats will be looking to keep up their momentum after a wave of successes in recent by-elections.
However, with a YouGov poll suggesting Labour is closing the gap on Reform, Sir Keir Starmer’s party will hope to pull a shock result out of the bag.
GB News has dissected this week’s by-elections in another set of Super Thursday showdowns.
GB NEWS MEMBERS CAN READ THE LATEST BY-ELECTION PREVIEW HERE.
Sadiq Khan heaps praise on Zohran Mamdani as he claims ‘hope won – just like in London’
Sir Sadiq Khan has lavished Zohran Mamdani with praise after his “historic” victory in the New York City mayoral election.
After Mr Mamdani surged to victory on Tuesday night, the Mayor of London likened the result to his own triumph in Britain’s capital.
Sir Sadiq said: “New Yorkers faced a clear choice, between hope and fear, and just like we’ve seen in London – hope won. Huge congratulations to Zohran Mamdani on his historic campaign.”
Andrew Griffith hits back at Rachel Reeves – ‘She’s trying to blame everybody on the planet but herself’
Andrew Griffith hit back at Rachel Reeves
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GB NEWS
Andrew Griffith hit back at Rachel Reeves after she accused the Tories of “economic mismanagement”.
The Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade told GB News: “Of course she’s trying to blame everybody on the planet but herself.”
“To be quite honest it’s one lie after another…There’s no economy on the planet that has taxed itself to success. What you need is the Government off people’s backs.”
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