BBC Breakfast hosts baffled by ‘unusual’ minister no-show after Downing Street video leak

BBC Breakfast’s John Kay and Sally Nugent addressed the absence of any government figures on the programme after no one showed up to answer questions from viewers on Wednesday.

Usually, those tuning into the three main breakfast programmes can see hosts scrutinise Conservative Party politicians over the main political talking points of the day.  

However, not a single minister turned up to face the firing line on the Wednesday morning of BBC Breakfast, in a turn of events host John dubbed ‘unusual’ to those watching at home.

This came after a video obtained by ITV News of Number 10 staff joking over an alleged Downing Street Christmas Party was released the night before.

The footage shows former press secretary Allegra Stratton answering questions at a mock press conference on December 22 about a party the previous Friday – the date of the alleged rule-breaking gathering last year.

Addressing the absence of a Conservative minister on the show, John said to viewers: ‘Usually at this time, here on Breakfast, we would be able to put questions to a government minister at Westminster as part of a slot.

Turning to co-star Sally, he continued: ‘We’ve had it pretty much every morning, haven’t we? At 7.30am since the start of the pandemic.’

The pair were due to speak to Health Secretary Sajid Javid, on the first anniversary of the Covid vaccine rollout.

‘However, this morning, no one has been made available to speak to us.’ Sally explained.  

Ministers left the BBC Breakfast studio in Westminster empty on Wednesday morning (Picture: BBC)

Panning to the empty chair, John told viewers: ‘This is the shot of our Westminster studio we would normally show you at this time, it will be very familiar to you.

‘But as you can see, there’s nobody there today.’

He went on to call it ‘unusual’ before urging a minister to come on the programme.

John said: ‘The camera’s ready, the seat is there, we can take an interview at any moment.

‘So, if anything changes between now and 9.15 – and later in the day on the BBC News channel – we would love to hear from the government.’

Number 10 has continued to deny the allegations a party took place and that rules were followed at all times, despite the recent reports of one on December 18, 2020.

Ministers were also absent from ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Sky News’ breakfast show presented by Kay Burley, with no minister opting to take questions on either programme.

Speaking to viewers about the no-show, GMB host Adil Ray said: ‘We are still waiting for somebody from the Government to turn up today, aren’t we?’

His co-star Susanna Reid replied: ‘We certainly are, the 8:30 slot is still available.’

More: Boris Johnson

Adil continued: ‘It’s not just us. Apparently most of the broadcasters this morning are still waiting for somebody from the Government, but if any Conservative MP, anybody connected to the Government is watching, and you would like to take your duty and answer to those people that lost family members. 

‘We’ll take anyone, anyone from the Conservative party, any MP who feels it is their duty to address the nation, address their constituents, address the 140,000 people we lost family members, who couldn’t attend funerals, who followed the rules and couldn’t attend hospital bedsides as people partied in Downing Street.’ 

BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Piers Morgan named fourth most Googled person in UK this year, behind Emma Raducanu and Matt Hancock

MORE : ITV News’ Tom Bradby ‘captures mood of nation’ with ‘angry’ Downing Street Christmas party monologue: ‘They look like they’re laughing at us’