Angry Neil’s empty chair moment over no-show PM
ACERBIC BBC broadcaster Andrew Neil last night issued a challenge to Boris Johnson in a dramatic “empty chair” moment to commit to an interview with him before polling day.
The veteran interrogator accused the Prime Minister of dodging scrutiny after he was left as the only main party leader not to appear on his BBC One show during the election campaign.
Mr Neil made his challenge after grilling Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage.
He said: “There is of course still one to be done – Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister.
“We have been asking him for weeks now to give us a date, a time, a venue. As of now, none has been forthcoming.
“No broadcaster can compel a politician to be interviewed. But leaders’ interviews have been a key part of the BBC’s prime-time election coverage for decades.
“We do them on your behalf to scrutinise and hold to account those who would govern us. That is democracy.
“We have always proceeded in good faith that the leaders would participate. And in every election they have. All of them. Until this one.
“It is not too late. We have an interview prepared. Oven-ready, as Mr Johnson likes to say.”
He added: “The Prime Minister of our nation will, at times, have to stand up to President Trump, President Putin, President Xi of China. So it was surely not expecting too much that he spend half-anhour standing up to me.
A senior Tory spokesman declined to comment on the broadcaster’s challenge.
Tory officials have claimed the Mr Johnson is willing to be interviewed by Mr Neil but were unable to agree a suitable time with the BBC. Opposition politicians backed the broadcaster last night.
Mocked
Mr Corbyn was left squirming during his interview with Mr Neil when repeatedly challenged to apologise for Labour’s anti-Semitism crisis.
Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson, the Brexit Party’s Nigel Farage and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon were also given a rough ride by Mr Neil.
Meanwhile, Tory David Davis hit out at the BBC’s election night anchor Huw Edwards last night after he endorsed a series of tweets slamming the Tories and supporting Labour.
The BBC sets out that its news staff should not “express support for any political party.”
His impartiality was called into question after he liked: “Vote Labour for the National Health Service.”
The £490,000-a-year star also liked a remark which mocked Mr Johnson over a speech about Brexit.
Mr Davis said BBC staff should “keep their political opinions to themselves” ahead of the election.
He added: “I’ve known Huw for a long time and he’s been very professional with me but this is a disappointing lapse in judgment.
“He knows the BBC’s highly salaried members should keep their political opinions to themselves.”