Labour's Barry Gardiner in angry clash with Nick Robinson over Sun front page

Robin de Peyer12 May 2017
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A shadow minister has clashed with the BBC’s Nick Robinson over the front page of The Sun on live radio.

Shadow minister for International Trade Barry Gardiner accused the Today programme presenter of behaving in a way that was “beneath” him and the show.

It came after The Sun’s front page, which ran a headline ‘Crash, Bang, Wallies!’ alongside pictures of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and union boss Len McCluskey, was mentioned in a paper review on the show.

Opening an interview which was supposed to be about Labour’s defence policy, Mr Gardiner said: “I did think your earlier report was beneath you, this 'Crash, bang, wallop' stuff.”

Mr Robinson replied: “No, no, that was quoting The Sun in a paper review,” to which Mr Gardiner responded: “I know it was but this is the Today programme and people expect a standard and quality of debate that is higher than 'crash, bang, wallop'”.

Angry clash: Barry Gardiner
Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images

The clash continued as Mr Robinson said listeners “expect us to read out newspaper headlines which we have done for many, many years without backing them, endorsing them or criticising them.”

But the MP insisted: “And they expect you to exercise a degree of choice and discretion.”

The pair later clashed again, as Mr Robinson asked if there were circumstances in which Jeremy Corbyn would authorise military action.

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“Of course I can think of circumstances in which he would use military action,” Mr Gardiner said.

“Can you? He couldn’t when he was taking part in the Labour leadership hustings, let me quote him to you,” said Mr Robinson.

The interruption drew a furious reaction, with Mr Gardiner saying: “You ask a question and then you want to answer it. You asked me if I could think of a scenario in which Jeremy Corbyn would sanction military action. I said I could and then you immediately jumped in and told me what you were going to answer to that question.

“He is absolutely committed to the security of this country. If this country was under military threat… of course as Prime Minister and a Labour cabinet would want to ensure our security.”

The interview drew mixed reactions on social media, where Mr Robinson asked after the clash: "Wonder if BarryGardiner had three ShreddedWheat this morning?"

Political commentator Iain Martin tweeted: "Re Gardiner, one of worst aspects of these people who ruined Labour is the shamelessness. Rather than feel shame they're puffed up + pious."

But others defended Mr Gardiner. One person wrote: "Once again @BarryGardiner is doing a brilliant job of dealing with the media on behalf of Labour. He's a great asset to the party."

Mr Corbyn said he is “not a pacifist” today ahead of a speech in which he will set out Labour’s defence and national security policy.

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