Susanna Reid clashes with Richard Madeley over Boris Johnson’s ‘woeful’ response to Euros racism: ‘I can’t stand it’

Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid has slammed Boris Johnson’s response to the racist abuse on social media sent to England players after the Euro 2020 final. 

The Prime Minister spoke out after Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were subjected to online abuse after missing penalties – but Susanna accused the tone and the sentiment of his message of not going far enough. 

Mr Johnson told a press conference: ‘This morning was sad and rueful, but also filled with pride and hope, and with thanks to Gareth Southgate and the whole England squad for the best campaign by any England team in any tournament that I can remember.

‘They made history, they lifted our spirits, they brought joy to this country and I know that they will continue to do so.

‘And to those who have been directing racist abuse at some of the players, I say: Shame on you, and I hope you will crawl back under the rock from which you emerged.’

Discussing the message, Susanna said that it was undermined by a ‘comedy element’. 

The PM addresses the online racism last night (Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Susanna Reid has hit out at Boris Johnson’s messages on Euros racism (Picture: Rex/Getty)

‘I thought it was a pretty good direct way of saying it,’ her co-host Richard Madeley said, speaking about the message.

Disagreeing with Richard, Susanna said: ‘Did you? I thought it was utterly woeful.’

Bukayo Saka of England is consoled by Gareth Southgate after his penalty miss (Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

’So they can sort of still be there, but exist under a rock? I’ll tell you what, Richard. What I can’t stand about it, is that it’s typical Boris Johnson. It’s not strong, it’s got a sort of comedy element to it,’ she added.

‘Why not say, “We are going to take action?”’

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Instead, the presenter said that the PM should have spoken about more direct action, threatening to ‘expose IP addresses’ and ‘expose those sending racist abuse to the authorities’.

It comes after the presenter previously spoke out about a message posted on the Prime Minister’s Twitter account yesterday, saying that the presenter’s message didn’t go far enough.

Good Morning Britain airs on weekdays at 6am on ITV.

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