Gavin and Stacey star apologises for calling Laura Kuenssberg ‘disingenuous plopcarpet’ and demanding she resign

Gavin & Stacey actor Mathew Horne has apologised after calling for the resignation of BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg.

The morning after last week’s general election (13 December), the actor published a series of tweets, which have since been deleted, in which he referred to Kuenssberg as a “disingenuous plopcarpet” and requested that she resign.

“I really wish I loved myself as much as you, Laura,” Horne tweeted. “I think, although deeply selfish, I’d probably be happier. For a bit. Lucky you.”

Horne then retweeted a message from the political editor in which she said that the “swing in the North of England is pretty consistently [very] big Labour to Tory”, and added: “Let’s see… your ‘journalism’ knows no bounds.

“Resign, you disingenuous plopcarpet.”

Horne has now apologised for his statements.

“I apologise to both @bbclaurak and the BBC for my comments on election night,” he wrote. “I was caught up in the frenzy of the election and realise I used my public platform and passion for politics in an incorrect way. I regret this and we should stand together. Merry Christmas one and all.”

Kuenssberg replied to Horne, saying she accepted his apology and was looking forward to watching the forthcoming Gavin & Stacey Christmas special, which is being broadcast on BBC1 next week.

She added, “no-one wins when we scream and shout rather than talk – maybe Twitter could move on from being bitter in 2020.”

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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