SNP WESTMINSTER leader Ian Blackford left Good Morning Britain hosts stunned today as he took a call to rival programme BBC Breakfast while live on air.
The MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber was appearing on GMB to talk about the UK Government’s coronavirus mini-budget, which Chancellor Rishi Sunak will set out this afternoon following Prime Minister’s Questions.
He appeared on the programme via video link, while Labour MP Bridget Phillipson was discussing the ongoing NHS hospitals staff parking fees row with hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid first.
As Morgan finished up with Phillipson and said “let’s go to Ian”, Blackford took the call.
Reid tried to get the cameras on someone else, warning producers: "No we can't, he's just on the phone - he might be checking what the policy is …"
Morgan asked if Blackford was checking what the parking fees policy is in Scotland, before asking again if the MP was available to talk.
Blackford continued speaking for a short while longer before hanging up the phone. Morgan again tried to catch his attention: "Mr Blackford, are you there? You're live on Good Morning Britain!"
The SNP MP looked shocked as he was caught out – as Morgan asked if he was interrupting something. However, he reacted with good spirits as laughed while telling the hosts: "It's your competition over the other side, we were live on air for a couple of minutes."
The hosts were shocked by what had unfolded live on air, with Morgan telling the MP: "Well tell them they're going to have to wait... Sorry to drag you away from your chat."
The group then discussed hospital parking fees in England as planned.
The i newspaper had reported that the Department of Health and Social Care would only continue free parking for “key patient groups and NHS staff in certain circumstances” as the pandemic eases.
Health minister Edward Argar said earlier this month that nothing had changed for free parking for staff yet, but that “this support cannot continue indefinitely”. Today, senior Tories denied any decisions had been made yet.
There are no parking fees at Welsh hospitals or most Scottish institutions.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel