BBC Breakfast host Charlie Stayt has been slammed as ‘TV’s rudest interviewer’ following a fractious discussion with the former chair of the Parole Board earlier today.
Nick Hardwick quit his job yesterday after High Court judges overturned the decision to release black cab rapist John Worboys.
But many viewers felt presenter Charlie came off badly during the back and forth debate over the debacle, criticising him for interrupting answers to the questions he asked.
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Tension was evident from the first question posed to Hardwick, who declined to speculate on the future of Secretary of State for Justice David Gauke – the man who had told Hardwick his position was “untenable” following the ruling.
Shouting over Hardwick, Charlie cut in: “So Mr. Hardwick, if I may, if I may…”
Charlie continued: “You detail what looks like a catalogue of details directly related to a terrible decision that was made.
“Yet you say in the same breath that the Justice Secretary should remain in place?”
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An irritated but calm Hardwick replied: “I think the last thing that we need is a change in Justice Secretary.
“I fully accept our role in this, others should do likewise.”
However, Charlie continued to interrupt Hardwick, much to the frustration of those watching at home.
Please Charlie let the people speak first and then speak for your self its not nice to do that everytime again
— Henk Boer Amsterdam (@hhboer) March 29, 2018
Getting really tired of #CharlieStayt on @BBCBreakfast interrupting the people he interviews.This morning was nothing new, well done to the gentleman from the parole board for keeping cool. #rude #listenandlearn
— Miranda Bowen (@miranda_artist) March 29, 2018
“Can you just explain that for us? Can you just explain?” Charlie pressed as Hardwick discussed the “exceptional features” surrounding investigations into other alleged offences Worboys was not convicted of in court.
An incredulous Charlie continued: “Did you simply not know that you could do that?”
Hardwick finally reacted to Charlie’s forceful questioning after being accused of “not addressing these serious issues” while considering whether other offenders may have slipped the net previously.
Growing weary of the interruptions, Hardwick retorted: “I’m not very clear why my answer isn’t sufficient.
“Less than 1% of the people who come before us go on to commit another serious offence.
“What more information – I mean, I’m happy to provide more information – but I think that’s a pretty clear answer isn’t it?”
One viewer was so hacked off with Charlie’s approach she said she would be turning over to Good Morning Britain whenever the presenter is on the BBC Breakfast sofa.
@BBCBreakfast Charlie Stayte is the rudest interviewer on TV. He asks questions and doesnt let people answer them. When they can get a word in he aggressively challenges the answers. I`m going to watch ITV the days he`s on!
— Susan Ellison (@SusanEllison10) March 29, 2018
Others were similarly unimpressed.
Very silly question to the former head of the Parole Board by the male presenter a short time ago. Just silly and annoying. Too dramatic and really didn’t achieve anything. The man answered the question to the best of his ability and yet the presenter kept asking nonsense
— Ex-PM David Cameron (@DavidChameleon) March 29, 2018
@BBCBreakfast
NEWSFLASH – Charlie Stadyt gets flustered by interviewee actually answering a question. Forcing him to repeat the question 3 times— Lee Daly (@LeeOnTheGuitar) March 29, 2018
Awful, uninformative, underprepared interview just now of the outgoing head of the Parole Board by Charlie Stayt on @BBCBreakfast re the Warboys JR https://t.co/e1dVMfwZO9
— Rawdon Crozier (@RawdonCrozier) March 29, 2018
BBC Breakfast is on BBC One, weekdays from 6am.
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