BBC presenter Andrew Neil ‘empty-chaired’ Boris Johnson after the Prime Minister turned down offers of a prime-time TV slot with the heavyweight interviewer. So far, he is the only leader of any major national party to refuse the invitations.
Here is what Mail readers thought of Mr Neil’s broadcast challenge as a heated election campaign enters its final days before December 12.
Paul Johns said: “A leader of people would have the courage to face a 30-minute interview...Of course it’s not mandatory to do so, but how can we expect a guy who dodges such a thing to represent us on the world stage? He has clearly been elevated too far above his own competency off the back of a privileged upbringing. He would not last five minutes as a Tesco manager never mind a Prime Minister.”
Mike Braithwaite disagreed, saying: “He’s probably got the good sense not to go on it. Why would he go on after everyone else has gone on and been shown to be complete idiots?...Personally I’d rather not be given the option to choose the ‘least idiotic of the idiots’.”
Peter Garbacz contended: “Of course he should. He should be accountable. He’s managed to go on this morning and do a nice fluffy piece with the BBC, but he’s avoiding hard-hitting interviewers.”
Gav Clark said: “Should he? Yes, maybe he should. Does he have to? No. He’s not daft. He’s not going to lose supporters for refusing the interview but he may lose some supporters if he does. But even that’s unlikely.”
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