The presenter sparked outrage just minutes into the programme.
Laura Kuenssberg sparked complaints minutes into her show (Image: BBC)
Laura Kuenssberg left BBC viewers with the same complaint just minutes into her politics show. Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg aired just one day after the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran. The escalating conflict in the Middle East dominated the programme, as she sat down for an interview with Defence Secretary John Healey.
During their discussion, the presenter pressed the Labour politician on whether the government backs the actions of the US and Israel, pointing out that some of his colleagues have publicly described it as “illegal”. The politician repeatedly refused to answer whether the action was within international law, despite being asked the question six times.
John Healey refused to answer whether the government backs the actions of the US and Israel (Image: BBC)
Viewers were quick to voice their frustration over Kuenssberg, accusing her of attempting to “put words” in Healey’s mouth.
Flocking to social media to complain, one wrote: “@bbclaurak is just a belligerent waste of time and can’t be taken seriously as a political journalist any longer. Im no fan of this Govt but trying to put words in the mouth of the Defence Sec at a time like this is wholly irresponsible.”
Another echoed: “#bbcLauraK attempting to dictate to Healey about what they should be saying and not saying, even attempting to put words into his mouth.”
A third fumed: “#bbclaurak …not biased ..always honest.. should be taken off air…”
However, others were furious that Healey repeatedly refused to answer the question, with one writing: “The fact that he can’t back these strikes shows that the government thinks the strikes were illegal.”
A second said: “Spineless and weak government!! John Healey cannot bring himself to say action in Iran is right.”
A third weighed in: “Def Sec won’t answer as he knows his party are relying on and don’t want to alienate a certain demographic in the upcoming local elections…worrying and pathetic.”
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Zack Polanski condemned the attack (Image: BBC)
Another commented: “The defence secretary is a fool if he thinks that the British population don’t want to know whether the Government thinks the US/Israel actions were within international law.”
Piers Morgan echoed this sentiment, writing on X: “Watching our Defence Secretary refuse to say if our Govt supports the US/Israeli attacks on Iran is pathetic and embarrassing when so many other countries including Canada and Australia have declared unequivocal support for them. Do we back them or not? We’re entitled to know.”
The Green Party has condemned the US and Israel’s attack and leader Zack Polanski described it as “illegal and unprovoked” just moments after Healey’s interview had concluded.
“We’ve got a defence secretary saying diplomacy is the long runway we need, but he won’t condemn Donald Trump when he attacks a country and assassinates its leader,” he said.
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“It’s quite astounding that we have a prime minister that seems to be incapable of standing up to Donald Trump and letting the UK stand on its own two feet.
Polanski added: “I’m worried we’re going to be pulled into another illegal war.”
