BBC Breakfast has come under fire after Naga Munchetty was slammed for her interview with Mel Stride today. Mr Stride, a Tory MP who is in charge of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), appeared on BBC Breakfast as it aired from 6am til 9am today.
Mr Stride, the Conservative Party minister, appeared via video link from Whitehall as Naga welcomed him. Naga grilled Mr Stride on Friday, April 19, amid reports an Israeli missile had reportedly hit Iran as tensions between the nations grow.
The MP agreed that the government's main aim was to "de-escalate" tensions with the reigon before Naga moved on to asking the MP questions with his "work and pensions secretary hat on". Naga asked about "sick note" culture and Mr Stride said: "We have seen increasing prevalence in mental health in society.
READ MORE UK set for next mini-heatwave within days as England 'breaks 20C barrier'
"Work is there as part of the solution. It's good for people to have good work, the evidence shows that." Naga asked: "94 per cent have been signed off by GPs. Do you think fewer than 94 per cent should have been signed off by GPs?"
Mr Stride said: "I think many more people. with the right support, are." Naga told him: "Sorry. No no no. That's not my question." Mr Stride told her: "Well I think I did answer your question." Naga asked: "Do you believe that you respect mental health problems?"
Mr Stride said: "Yes I do. I'm on the public record very clearly saying that I think the fact that as a society we have developed such that we're able to talk about mental health in a much more open way is very significant and I think that means that many people, who in the past sadly would have suffered in silence, are getting the support and the treatment that they need and I think that is extremely important."
Taking to Twitter/X, one viewer wrote: "@BBCNaga once again demonstrating her lack of intelligence and left-wing bias. Disgraceful “interview” with #melstride @conservatives in which she ignored his “yes” answer to her baiting question 3x before pursuing her own irrelevant line. She’s a disgrace."
"@BBCBreakfast for god sake Naga listen to answers being given by minister instead of attempting unsuccessfully to have some sort of gotcha scenario. He specifically answered that Drs are on occasions signing people off, but that was only part of the issue - work actually helps!" a second wrote.
"@BBCBreakfast what another disgraceful style of questioning by Manchetty this morning as she continues to try and undermine a government official. Shameful," agreed a third.
