Richard Madeley: Cutting short Gavin Williamson Minister was best thing I have ever done
Richard Madeley has described cutting off Gavin Williamson in an interview as the most popular thing he has ever done.
The Good Morning Britain presenter subjected the Defence Secretary to an awkward interview at West Midlands Safari Park this week, during which he repeatedly interrupted him for refusing to answer a question.
Madeley asked Mr Williamson if he regretted saying that Russia should 'shut up and go away' at the end of a speech in March, accusing him of using Trump-esque language.
The presenter, whose ham-fisted style means he is often likened to Alan Partridge, repeatedly interrupted Mr Williamson as he attempted to answer the question and eventually terminated the interview.
WATCH the interview here:
In a piece he wrote for The Guardian, Madeley said he had asked the question because Mr Williamson 'has yet to properly respond to the scorn his remark drew'.
He said it was the first time he had pulled the plug on any interviewee in 30 years. "And I think that tells you something," he said.
"It tells you how bad things have got; how well drilled today’s politicians have become at evasion, obfuscation and manipulation during interviews."
"I think it’s the most popular thing I’ve ever done on TV," Madeley added, possibly forgetting the time he dressed up as Ali G on This Morning.
"So I’ve got a new rule when conducting interviews with politicians who won’t answer the question.
"Three strikes, and you’re out. If all of us interviewers adopt that principle, the quality of political debate on television will immediately and dramatically improve. And viewers will love us for it."
