Yahoo News BBC Breakfast viewers gripped as Naga Munchetty grills transport secretary over HS2 video
Viewers were impressed by the way the presenter handled the interview
Watch: BBC Breakfast holds Mark Harper to account for the handling of HS2
What did you miss?
BBC Breakfast viewers have showered Naga Munchetty with praise for the way she handled an interview with transport secretary Mark Harper over Rishi Sunak’s HS2 video.
The Prime Minister recently confirmed that the northern leg of the high-speed line would not go ahead, but there was controversy after it was claimed that he filmed a video in Downing Street confirming the situation, while continuing to tell people that a decision has not yet been made.
So when Harper appeared on the BBC show on Thursday, 5 October, Munchetty took him to task about it.
What, how, and why?
She said: “The Prime Minister said he would not be forced into making a decision right, yet he had recorded a video in Downing Street, yet he’s been in Manchester since the weekend. So the decision was made.”
The transport secretary replied: “No it wasn’t.”
'The Prime Minister said he would not be forced into making a decision yet he had recorded a video in Downing Street, yet he had been in Manchester since the weekend'
Transport Secretary Mark Harper was asked about the HS2 rail line announcementhttps://t.co/hq5CDE1QZU pic.twitter.com/UdyaYjy7Ak— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) October 5, 2023
Munchetty went on: “He told all of us, he told all of us that he would not be forced into making a decision. So why had he already made a video extolling the virtues of this decision?”
But Harper replied: “I’ll be very clear with you. We’ve obviously been working on this issue for a period of time. It’s a big decision… The decision is my legal responsibility. I took the decision on Tuesday and it was agreed by the cabinet yesterday morning (Wednesday) before his speech and then he announced it to the country in the usual way.”
The presenter, who was on the sofa with colleague Charlie Stayt, refused to give up and repeatedly insisted that the decision had been made.
What did viewers think?
Viewers were impressed with the way she navigated their chat, with many posting about it on X, formerly Twitter.
“Naga and Charlie, great interview,” one said.
“Holding Mark Harper accountable.”
“NEVER TRY TO PULL ONE OVER ON NAGA!!!!” said someone else.
I am cancelling the rest of the HS2 project.
In its place we’ll reinvest every single penny, £36 billion, into hundreds of transport projects in the North, Midlands, and across the country.
Here’s why 👇 pic.twitter.com/0GPdsqNS1E— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 4, 2023
“Well done,” remarked another viewer.
“Naga Munchetty & Charlie Stayt interviewing Mark Harper, the question over how Rishi Sunak made a video in Downing Street giving the decision on HS2 before the ‘decision’ was made this week in Manchester!!”
Another person added: “Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt nailing Mark Harper with the question over how a Rishi Sunak video had been made in Downing Street before the ‘decision’ was made. Absolute car crash.”
Read more: BBC Breakfast
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