Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has come under fire after repeatedly refusing to answer questions at Prime Minister's Questions about the mistaken release of another foreign prisoner. The row erupted when Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge pressed Mr Lammy, who was standing in for Sir Keir Starmer, on whether any other asylum-seeking offenders had been accidentally released since the case of Hadush Kebatu.
Mr Lammy, who is also Justice Secretary, declined to give a direct answer, prompting criticism from Conservative and Liberal Democrat figures. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick wrote to Mr Lammy demanding an explanation for his refusal to respond, while Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the release as 'shocking' and called for all foreign criminals to be automatically deported.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 24-year-old Algerian man was accidentally freed from HMP Wandsworth on October 29, with the mistake only reported to the force on Tuesday. Mr Lammy said he was 'absolutely outraged and appalled' and that officials had been working through the night to recapture the offender, who reportedly has previous sex attack convictions.
Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Jess Brown-Fuller demanded Mr Lammy return to Parliament to explain why he failed to answer the question, calling it 'utterly unacceptable' that public safety had been put at risk again. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also criticised the Government, calling the situation 'a total farce'.
