Lammy defends not revealing another prisoner had been mistakenly released

David Lammy has said helium did not cognize each the details of a prisoner's mistaken merchandise erstwhile repeatedly asked.

The justness caput and lawman premier curate was heavy criticised for not revealing connected Wednesday that registered Algerian enactment offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif had been released successful mistake past week.

The Conservatives utilized Mr Lammy's quality astatine Prime Minister's Questions to inquire - 5 times - if different captive had been released aft migrant enactment offender Hadush Kebatu was released by mistake connected 24 October alternatively of being taken to an migration removal centre.

Mr Lammy gave an irate reply but refused to accidental helium knew anything.

A time later, Mr Lammy has defended his determination not to uncover that helium knew astir the incident, saying helium did not cognize each the details and did not privation to mislead the public.

"I did not person each of the details," helium said.

"That item was really released conscionable aboriginal aft I had finished astatine Prime Minister's Questions.

"I took the judgement that it is important erstwhile updating the House and the state astir superior matters similar this, that you person each of the details.

"I was not equipped with each of the detail, and the information is that you extremity up misleading the House and the wide public.

"So that is the judgement I took. I deliberation it's the close judgment."

The justness caput said helium archetypal recovered retired astir Kaddour-Cherif's merchandise connected Wednesday morning, and spent the hours earlier PMQs successful the Ministry of Justice, "learning from officials" and preparing for his archetypal clip filling successful for Sir Keir Starmer.

However, questions person been raised astir the timeline due to the fact that Mr Lammy said Kaddour-Cherif was released "before I introduced those checks".

On 27 October, helium said "the strongest merchandise checks that person ever been successful place" were being introduced successful absorption to Kebatu's accidental release.

"They volition use to each merchandise signifier custody and are effectual immediately," helium said.

But Kaddour-Cherif was released connected 29 October, 2 days later.

Prison authorities past did not alert the Metropolitan Police until Monday and the captive is inactive connected the run.

Another prisoner, Billy Smith, was besides released by mistake connected Tuesday but handed himself successful connected Thursday aft it emerged a mates of hours aft PMQs.

Sky News has asked the Ministry of Justice for clarification.

This breaking quality communicative is being updated and much details volition beryllium published shortly.

Please refresh the leafage for the fullest version.

You tin person Breaking News alerts connected a smartphone oregon tablet via the Sky News App. You tin besides travel @SkyNews connected X oregon subscribe to our YouTube channel to support up with the latest news.