BBC Breakfast Host Rips Tory Minister For ‘Disingenuous’ Dodging Of Sunak Apology Question
Tory Policing Minister Chris Philp struggled to defend Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on BBC Breakfast Thursday, dodging the question six times on the appropriateness of Sunak’s controversial gender jibe at Prime Minister’s Questions.
Host Naga Munchetty relentlessly questioned an increasingly uncomfortable Philp as she asked him to clarify his position on whether the Prime Minister’s remarks were deemed “respectful” or “appropriate,” especially in the sensitive context of the presence of Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered transgender teenager Brianna Ghey, in Parliament. Sunak was attacking Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for reversing his stance on different policy positions.
Philp defended Sunak: “I think he was talking about Labour’s and Keir Starmer’s flip-flops and U-turns.”
The host asked again: “Do you think it was respectful to talk about Keir Starmer’s views on trans people at that time? Do you think it was respectful?”
“He was talking about Labour’s policy flip-flops, and that is a reasonable thing to do,” the minister replied. “The Prime Minister made no reference at all to any individual trans people. It was Keir Starmer who introduced that. The Prime Minister was making a point about Labour’s very numerous flip-flops, another one of which we’re seeing today.”
Munchetty raised the statement issued by Ghey’s father, Peter Spooner, who demanded an apology from Sunak for the “degrading” comments.
“Is Peter Spooner, the father of Brianna Ghey, going to get an apology from Rishi Sunak?” she asked.
Philp replied: “Well, I was very, very sad to read or to hear about those comments from Brianna’s father yesterday when he made those. As I say, I think anyone who is interested in this issue should actually listen to the clip. Listen to the initial exchange yesterday.”
“So are you saying Peter Spooner has misunderstood what Rishi Sunak has said?” the host pressed.
The minister continued: “Look, I’ve got every respect for obviously the views and feelings of a bereaved father.”
“Do you think he deserves an apology?” Munchetty returned.
“Look, I think people should listen to the clip, form their own view,” the minister said.
Munchetty became more pointed in her question: “He has listened to the clip. I cannot imagine that the father of a child who was murdered a year ago this Sunday has not listened to that clip and I think it’s quite disingenuous for you to suggest he hasn’t. He’s asked for an apology, do you think he’ll get one?”
The Tory MP attempted to clarify: “I did not… that’s… I did not for a second suggest that. I’m saying that people who want…”
The host pushed one more time: “My question to you was about whether Peter Spooner would get an apology, not about people listening to the clip.”
Philp repeated his line: “Okay look, I’ve already said repeatedly that the prime minister made no reference to any individual, uh, in his remarks yesterday.”
