Labour MP swerves small boats question as BBC Question Tme crowd groan and sigh
Labour MP swerves small boats question as BBC Question Tme crowd groan and sigh The justice minister Jake Richards was quizzed by Fiona Bruce on last night's BBC Question Time as the small boats crisis was debated on the panel Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Paige Ingram 01:31, Fri, Oct 9, 2026 Updated: 01:39, Fri, Oct 9, 2026 Labour MP Jake Richards and Fiona Bruce (Image: BBC) Fiona Bruce grilled Labour's Jake Richards on BBC Question Time last night over the small boats crisis. James was unable to answer her question after multiple attempts to swerve it Fiona turned to the audience for help. The show's panel included, from the government, the justice minister Jake Richards; the Conservative shadow Scottish secretary Harriet Cross; Max Wilkinson from the Liberal Democrats; the Daily Mirror's associate editor Kevin Maguire; and the Telegraph's senior political commentator Annabel Denham. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT On the topic of illegal immigration Fiona asked justice minister Jake Richards: "When it comes to small boats do you feel as a government you'll ever be able to stop them completely?" To which Jake swerved the question several times, he said: "Illegal migration has been happening in this country for hundreds of years." Fiona interjected: "Sure, but I'm asking about the small boats particularly." Jake added: "I'm not going to do what Rishi Sunak did and stand up and say 'I'm going to stop the boats tomorrow' and then you know you guys will rightly laugh that off frankly." Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Fiona got very frustrated (Image: BBC) Fiona for a second time asked: "So that's not something that as a government you think is realistic to commit to?" Jake replied: "The small boats and the scenes that we see across our channel is an absolute disgrace." Fiona interjected: "No, that's a given. I'm asking a different question." Jake said: "Let me answer the question." Fiona said: "Well you're not actually, it's sort of a yes or no." She then turned to the audience aasking: "Am I getting an answer?" Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Jake said: "Let me see if you take the answer, we've got a massive problem, we ve got to confront it by offering abigger deterant. weve got to invest in our border security and weve alos got to offer safe a fiar system for those who are actually ocming here to contribute who are fleeing persecution." Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Fiona swiftly moved on by saying: "Ok, you've made this point, but I notice you haevn't answered the question." BBC Question Time returns next week in Brecon. Angela Rayner's 'authoritarian plot' to send snoops to Brits’ homes exposed - 'outrageous' Holborn and St Pancras by-election LIVE: Zack Polanski crisis as Greens face defeat Question Time Labour Party Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments