BBC Breakfast's Charlie Stayt clashes with MP over Braverman's divisive remarks

09 November 2023 , 10:18

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BBC Breakfast's Charlie Stayt clashes with MP over Braverman's divisive remarks

Charlie Stayt was praised by BBC Breakfast viewers as he grilled Tory MP Mark Harper on whether he agreed with Suella Braverman's comments on pro-Palestinian rallies.

The home secretary has been criticised after she accused the Metropolitan Police of "double standards" over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests. It comes after Scotland Yard decided against banning an event planned on Armistice Day.

Charlie began the interview with Mr Harper by asking if he agreed with the Home Secretary's comments, to which he replied: "What we're all focused on doing in Government and across the police is making sure the protest that takes place on Saturday, takes place peacefully and in an orderly way."

Repeating the question, the BBC Breakfast said: "Do you agree with your colleague the home secretary Suella Braverman who [branded the rallies] 'hate marches'. Do you agree with her sentiment and her language?"

The Tory MP continued to deflect from answering the BBC Breakfast host's question. Charlie attempted to ask Mr Harper again about whether he agreed with the home secretary use of the term "Palestinian mobs".

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Charlie Stayt and Mark Harper clashed on BBC Breakfast (BBC)

"I've given you three opportunities to offer your agreement to your colleague the home secretary Suella Braverman, you've chosen not to do that on three occasions. Does the home secretary have your full backing and full confidence?" Charlie asked. Mr Harper replied: "I'm answering your question, but I'm answering it my way."

BBC Breakfast viewers took to Twitter to praise Charlie as one tweeted: "Someone needs to turn @Mark_J_Harper off and back on again. He appears to have crashed and is now stuck in a loop on #BBCBreakfast Good effort from Charlie Stayt though!"

"Harper, not answering a single question and sweating profusely it’s not a good look (and well done Charlie Stayt) #BBCBreakfast," another wrote. A third shared: "@BBCBreakfast Good on Charlie Stayt! Get this Mark Harper fella to answer just one question. He can’t or won’t.

Someone else added: "To have an ounce of Charlie Stayt’s patience @BBCBreakfast, Mark Harper refusing to answer questions about Braverman’s divisive language a number of times." A fifth fumed: "Charlie Stayt was trying to get Mark Harper to answer simple questions. Unfortunately, Harper behaved like a child."

Charlotte McIntyre