Laura Kuenssberg interviewing Boris Johnson in October 2019 (Image: BBC)
BBC politics news heavyweight Laura Kuenssberg has had to pull the plug on a much-anticipated TV interview with former Prime Minister after she made an embarrassing mistake.
Initially scheduled for tomorrow, the interview with the ex-PM had been eagerly awaited but will now be shelved. This evening, Kuenssberg disclosed the cause of the cancellation – she had inadvertently sent Mr Johnson briefing notes that were meant for her own team, leading to frustration and disappointment on her part.
The ex- political editor expressed her regret on Twitter: “While prepping to interview tomorrow, by mistake I sent our briefing notes to him in a message meant for my team. That obviously means it’s not right for the interview to go ahead.
“It’s very frustrating, and there’s no point pretending it’s anything other than embarrassing and disappointing, as there are plenty of important questions to be asked. But red faces aside, honesty is the best policy. See you on Sunday.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a televised press conference at 10 Downing Street on February 22, 2021 in London, England. The prime minister announced a phased exit from the country’s current lockdown measures, imposed before Christmas to curb a surge in covid-19 cases. (Photo by Leon Neal – WPA Pool/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)
Johnson’s interview was poised to be his first significant discussion of his Premiership since he resigned, where he was set to be interrogated about various contentious issues such as Partygate, his management of , and the Chris Pincher debacle.
, who stepped down from Parliament just before a damning standards committee report found he had misled the Commons over No10 parties, was set to face tough questions in an interview. The ex-Prime Minister insists his removal from office was unjust and is poised to air his grievances in his forthcoming memoir ‘Unleashed’, hitting shelves this month.
Almost a year has passed since the announcement that Johnson would join GB News as a presenter, yet his programme remains unseen. Laura Kuenssberg has been busy with a Panorama special titled ‘Partygate: Inside the Storm’ and a revealing three-part series on the Tory government called ‘State of Chaos’.
She has interviewed pivotal players from Johnson’s tenure, exposing the turmoil of his leadership.
Meanwhile, a new memoir by Sir Graham Brady, the former chair of the influential 1922 Committee, alleges that Johnson labelled Conservative backbenchers “spineless chicken s***” over their criticism of his one-time aide Dominic Cummings. The partnership between Johnson and Cummings spectacularly disintegrated during the pandemic, with Cummings comparing his former boss to an erratic shopping trolley.
Sir Graham revealed that, amidst the storm surrounding Mr Cummings’ controversial trip to Barnard Castle during lockdown restrictions, the then-Prime Minister unleashed a scathing outburst. Allegedly, Mr Johnson raged: “I think backbench MPs have been contemptible! They have been spineless chicken s***. They need to develop some backbone.”
Moreover, a book alleges Mr Johnson berated the “stupid f***ing two-metre rule” and lambasted the “f***ing scientists”.