EXCLUSIVE: BBC viewers switch off Burnham interview over Laura Kuenssberg complaint
Prime Minister Andy Burnham joined BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg (Image: BBC)
BBC viewers issued the same complaint as Laura Kuenssberg was joined by Prime Minister Andy Burnham for a 30-minute special. In his first major broadcast interview since taking office, the Labour leader sat down with the journalist for an in-depth chat that aired on Monday evening.
On hand to discuss his first week at 10 Downing Street, as well as his plans for the future, and the challenges he’s already facing in office, Burnham and Kuenssberg chatted about everything from social care to the next Labour manifesto and relations with President Donald Trump.
While the broadcast drew viewers to BBC One and BBC iPlayer, however, some found themselves frustrated by the programme and switching it off altogether. “I don’t watch anything involving Laura Kuenssberg, these days. Can’t abide her interviewing style,” wrote one.
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“Jeez Kuenssberg is a terrible interviewer, constantly searching for the controversial sound bite instead of having a decent discussion. Let him explain instead of asking the same question 10 times. Btw no one gives a s**t about Trump. #burnham,” tweeted a second.
Meanwhile, a third remarked: “What a bore Burnham is, totally uninspiring. Kuenssberg is going through the motions but she doesn’t want to push too hard otherwise she’ll lose access. It’s got all the hallmarks of her cosy relationship with [Boris] Johnson.”
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“Watching the Panorama Andy Burnham interview on the BBC,” added a fourth. “Why is Laura Kuenssberg pressing hard on Burnham to criticise Donald Trump so much? What is the point in trying to actively engineer a diplomatic incident? It’s certainly not journalism.”
Some viewers complained about Laura Kuenssberg’s interviewing style (Image: BBC)
Among the manycomments swirling online, viewers also weighed in on Burnham’s responses in the interview. “Andy Burnham tells Laura Kuenssberg he can’t answer her questions as he’s only four days into the job. That’s the problem with being installed without any sort of contest He’s got no answers on big issues of defence spending, energy/food security, welfare/immigration reform or AI,” noted one.
“That Andy Burnham interview with Laura Kuenssberg was a whole pile of nothing. Starmer 2.0,” quipped a second.
