BBC Breakfast viewers fuming over 'car crash' interview as they 'switch off' TV
BBC Breakfast faced a wave of viewer criticism after an interview with Liz Truss turned sour. The former Prime Minister joined the programme on Tuesday, 16 April, to discuss her new book, Ten Years to Save the West, with BBC's political editor Chris Mason.
During the chat, Truss touched on various topics, including her backing of Donald Trump and her controversial stance on smoking, stating, "We should absolutely protect children from damage and danger while they are developing decision-making capabilities," and adding, "But we're a free country. We shouldn't be telling people not to smoke."
She also expressed concerns about overregulation, musing, "I worry about where it will lead. Whether we'll be getting a sugar allowance every week - or a certain number of drinks we're allowed to have."
However, viewers were quick to voice their disapproval on X (formerly Twitter). One person questioned, "Why is Liz Truss getting so much media coverage? We have had a lucky escape with her once." Another chimed in with frustration, saying, "She was the shortest serving PM because she was so bad at the job. The BBC shouldn't be giving her interviews now on that basis. Get people who know what they're talking about.", reports the Daily Star.
A third person questioned: "The question is..... Why are total political failures like Truss being given a soap box to stand on by broadcasting companies? " Meanwhile, another added their voice to the discussion, saying: "Why is she getting coverage promoting her book. She was PM for days and wrecked the economy. I turned off, I don't want to hear her endorsement of Trump! ! ".
In the interview, however, Truss hit back after being asked about being considered a "laughing stock" due to her brief tenure at Number 10. "I don't think that's true," she insisted. "This is just pathetic point scoring."
When pressed on whether she accepted responsibility for the fallout from her policies, Truss conceded: "What I am saying is yes, I'm not saying I'm perfect, nobody's perfect. It's all very well saying, 'Liz, do you accept any of the blame? ' I'm frankly not going to let them get off the hook."
The former foreign secretary beat Rishi Sunak to the top job in September 2022, but only remained in office for 50 days, making her the shortest-serving Prime Minster in British hisotry. On getting the job, she said: "We all will deliver for our country and I will make sure that we use all the fantastic talents of the Conservative Party, our brilliant Members of Parliament and peers, our fantastic councillors, our MSs, our MSPs, all of our councillors and activists and members right across our country."
