Yvette Cooper repeatedly dodges question from Laura Kuenssberg
Tories turned on Laura Kuenssberg after she used her live BBC political programme this morning to question whether Suella Braverman should remain in Cabinet.
Several MPs claimed that Ms Kuenssberg was calling for the Home Secretary to be sacked, and urged an investigation into the BBC journalist for breaching impartiality.
They took issue with the BBC political host’s remarks during an interview with Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, claiming it was another instance of BBC bias.
She said: “We will see what the next couple of days bring, because I think words do matter, and it does matter very much who sits around the Cabinet table.”
Earlier this week, Ms Braverman sparked uproar after she criticised the Metropolitan Police ahead of Saturday’s pro-Palestinian rally.
In a Times article, Suella Braverman called protesters “hate marchers” and accused police of a “double standard”.
It later emerged that the Home Secretary had defied the Prime Minister by going ahead with the article despite it not being cleared by No10.
During the interview on the BBC, Mr Shapps refused to back Ms Braverman, saying it was “proper” for the Home Secretary to debate the issue, but that he “wouldn’t use that set of words”.
Former Deputy Chief Whip Craig Whittaker told GB News: “Laura Kuenssberg seems so far over the line for a journalist, she should be investigated.
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“It seems totally beyond the code for journalists and should be investigated to see whether she has breached the code.”
Former Transport Minister Kevin Forster added: “It is the broadcaster’s role to question those who sit round the Cabinet Table, not express their preferences to try and decide who does.”
Daniel Kawczynski MP said: “Laura’s credibility as an impartial effective journalist has been questioned on many occasions and this is the latest example of her not understanding the remit of her role.
“I urge her employers to consider disciplinary actions otherwise, the quality of journalism will continue to be brought into disrepute.
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“The BBC is equally to blame as it allows Laura Kuenssberg to act as an opposition politician on air rather than an impartial professional commentator.
“Standards at BBC have collapsed but then again I think most people realise that and why numbers watching BBC on decline.”
Viewers on social media largely echoed the Tory MPs, with @ArgyleBecky tweeting: “Once again, the BBC, instead of being a broadcaster, are judge, jury and executioner as they have been accused of breaching impartiality rules after Laura Kuenssberg called for Suella Braverman to be sacked live on air.”
@Covbluenose posted: “More questions about the BBC’s impartiality…..”
@NZBirder added: “How are journalists allowed to wield such power when they’re publicly funded? They’re there to reflect public opinion not promote and advocate their own political agenda.”
Labour’s Yvette Cooper said she “shouldn’t carry on in her job,” suggesting that Ms Braverman’s remarks had made disorder during Saturday’s demonstrations worse.
On Sunday, the Home Secretary thanked police for “their professionalism” over the weekend, before saying the pro-Palestine marches “can’t go on”.
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