On , presenter welcomed Migration Minister Seema Malhotra, however, their interview took an unexpectedly tense turn.
This came after the politician declined several times to give a net migration figure that would be considered too high by the government.
Refusing to be dodged, Naga probed: “I haven’t heard the number.”
Malhotra hit back: “What I have said is that we need to process,” but before she could finish, the broadcaster interrupted: “What I said to you is Chris Phil, Shadow Home Secretary said 250,000 is too high.
“Let’s make it simple, is 250,000 too high for you in terms of net immigration?”
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BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty clashed with Seema Malhotra (Image: BBC)
Malhotra responded: “What I want Chris Phil to do is explain why net migration rose to 685,000 or 745,000.”
After realising that the question was once again dodged, a frustrated Naga insisted: “I would like you, as a representative of this government, to tell us, the electorate, what you think is too high.”
“What figure is too high? because Kemi Badenoch said she’s going to put a target, she’s going to give us a number once she has worked out her party’s process. You are in government, what is too high?”
Yet again the politician avoided naming a figure as she stated: “You will also look at what Kemi Badenoch’s record is and her government in terms of net migration went to unprecedented levels.
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Seema Malhotra refused to put a figure on net migration (Image: BBC)
She continued: “My point is this, we want to see net migration coming down but you have to do so in a way that is tackling the cause of net migration because if much of net migration’s been driven by recruiting workers from overseas, you also have to look at what the impact of the economy would be.”
After Naga hit back: “Yes or no, can you give me an answer?” Malhotra said: “We’ll I’ve explained the rationale, haven’t I …” However, the presenter interjected: “I’ll take that as a no.”
“You’ve explained your reasoning, but you haven’t given me a number.”
The avoidance also angered viewers who took to social media with their reactions including @johnmacconn who fumed: “Another robotic interview, they don’t have any answers, just waffle waffle waffle for three mins.”
As @tiny_online stated: “Watching this live I felt the frustration. It was a simple question. Avoiding the answer with blah just shows who was being disrespectful and rude.”