I will never like Piers Morgan, because he has spent years being a prat, both on TV and on social media.
That’s why that video featuring 91-year-old Martin Kenyon schooling Morgan was so popular last month.
Sometimes, you have to give credit where credit is due, and Morgan’s interview with UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday was a perfect example of how media outlets should hold politicians accountable in real-time, rather than letting them espouse their views unchallenged.
It’s also a perfect illustration of a slimy politician who knows he’s been caught in his own lie, big time, trying to weasel out of answering a simple question.
Some background is required before we get to the interview, and this one starts with the recent outcry over government food packages for children from low-income families.
Initially, the UK government refused to give food parcels to children at home whilst schools were shut, but were shamed into action by a campaign driven by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford.
Then images began doing the rounds showing the paltry food parcels, supposed to be worth £30, that had been sent out.
An example:
Priced via Asda:
Bread 89p
Beans 85p
Carrots 15p
Apples 42p
Potatoes 22p
Tomato 11p
Cheese £1.45
Frubes 33p
Pasta 10p
Soreen 40p
Bananas 30pPublic funds were charged £30. I’d have bought this for £5.22.
The private company who have the #FSM contract made good profit here.
— Roadside Mum 🐯 (@RoadsideMum) January 11, 2021
Marcus got in on that action, too:
3 days of food for 1 family…
Just not good enough. pic.twitter.com/Y7FJEFFAma— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) January 11, 2021
As the backlash grew, Hancock appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, where he faced questions from Morgan, who had done his homework, and knew that Hancock had originally voted against the food aid.
Not getting off the hook here, Matt:
Matt Hancock – I’m really glad that we can send out free school meals when schools are out.
Piers Morgan – If you’re that glad… why did you vote against giving free school meals?#GMB pic.twitter.com/pGJxWYi0EX
— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) January 13, 2021
That’s the really juicy exchange above, but you can watch the full interview here:
Fair play to Morgan, but it’s Rashford who really deserves the plaudits.
He’s even got the prime minister’s ear:
I totally agree with you @MarcusRashford, these food parcels do not meet the standards we set out and we have made it clear to the company involved that this is disgraceful. The company concerned has rightly apologised and agreed to reimburse those affected. https://t.co/tVCVhUouRa
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 13, 2021
Back of the net, Marcus.
Yes, you too, Piers.
[source:newsau]
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