BBC Breakfast viewers were left fuming on Thursday morning over Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt’s interviewing style.
The hosts were joined on the red sofa by Thara Raj, Director of Public Health at Warrington Borough Council, to discuss the upcoming Creamfields music festival and how it will affect Covid-19 rates.
Things first turned awkward as Charlie pressed Thara on event organisation – despite her having nothing to do with it.
“How good do you think the checking is, for example, around whether people have had two jabs, whether they have had a test – how sure can you be that people going to these venues, they’re relying on you to operate it safely…
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“How secure do you think you can make it? Because there’s always going to be people who are going to want to go, they couldn’t afford the test or they didn’t want to bother. There’s always going to be some people in the mix, notwithstanding the fact that most people are going to try and be responsible…”
Thara awkwardly responded: “Yeah, so I’m not organising these events, so… We’re giving as much advice as possible and as much support.”
As she urged people to get vaccinated and undergo regular tests, Naga interrupted: “You’re offering advice, the point is – will people follow that advice at a festival?
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“You’ve been very clear – social distance, wear masks, be sensible. You’re pleased people are respecting each other, but the point is as Charlie was saying, you can go to a festival and not take the test!”
She went on: “You might not be bothered to take a test, you might say you’ve had two vaccines but not have proof, people are going to be let in! How strict is it going to be?”
Thara began: “Well, I think the organisers for some of the events…”
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But Naga jumped in again: “Well, say for the Weekender, the advice you’re giving?”
Their guest simply said: “Well, I’ll go and double check how safe that all is, because you can’t just rely on what someone said in a meeting.”
Furious fans turned to Twitter to comment on the awkward exchange, with one posting: “@BBCBreakfast stop badgering and bullying the public health expert you have on the sofa!”
Another chimed in: “@BBCBreakfast stop badgering your guest, they express a view, answer your questions to the best of their ability […] why don’t you encourage people to be careful whilst enjoying themselves – you’re bullies!”
“Why are these two giving the lady a hard time?” another viewer quizzed, as a fourth added: “They’re giving this woman an unnecessarily hard time! #BBCBreakfast.”
BBC Breakfast airs from 6am every day on BBC One.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
