Entertainment
Susanna Reid calls out Richard Madeley over Covid remark in awkward interview: ‘I take issue with that’
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Susanna Reid stepped in to call out her Good Morning Britain co-host Richard Madeley during an awkward interview earlier today, after he claimed that the government appear to have ‘got away’ with their mistakes at the beginning of the pandemic.
It comes after a damning report compiled by MPs found that a number of key errors led to tens of thousands of lives being lost.
The study branded decisions on lockdowns and social distancing during the early weeks of the pandemic ‘one of the most important public health failures the United Kingdom has ever experienced’.
When interviewing cabinet minister Stephen Barclay on Tuesday’s show, Richard claimed that the feedback from GMB viewers suggested that ‘the majority of people are surprisingly forgiving’ of the government’s failures – something Susanna challenged him on.
‘I have to tell you we’ve been bombarded with messages on this story throughout the show today,’ Richard said.
He added: ‘I have to say that the majority of people are surprisingly forgiving, and are actually saying that they understand that the reason for some of the mistakes wasn’t malpractice but scientific ignorance – we didn’t know enough.’
Richard was called out for his comments by his co-host (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX)
Richard went on to say: ‘But there are others, who are extremely angry, particularly those who lost loved ones in care homes, when their relatives were sent back when they shouldn’t have been.
‘But on the whole, you seem to be getting away with it – as far as our viewers are concerned.’
Disagreeing with co-host’s comments, Susanna said: ‘No, sorry, I take issue with that.’
The host disagreed with Richard’s Covid comments (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
She added: ‘There’s a litany of mistakes, Steve Barclay, and I’m afraid you haven’t got away with anything.’
‘As this report shows, too many things were done too late,’ Susanna added, while Richard laughed.
More: Good Morning Britain
Earlier today Mr Barclay also refused to apologise at least 12 times after a damning report found that a number of key mistakes early in the coronavirus crisis cost tens of thousands of lives.
Mr Barclay was pressed at least four times by Sky News and another eight by LBC to say sorry to the families of victims – but failed to do so.
Good Morning Britain airs on weekdays from 6am on ITV.
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MORE : Minister fails to apologise 12 times for Covid errors that cost countless lives
