Alison Hammond’s approach to Rishi Sunak has divided This Morning viewers, with some claiming she was ‘fawning’ over him and others praising her probing.
The Prime Minister appeared on the sofa on Thursday, when Alison and Craig Doyle replaced Holly Willoughby during her early half-term leave and Phillip Schofield following his departure.
During the segment, Mr. Sunak discussed immigration statistics, the new NHS app, and his fondness for Jilly Cooper novels.
During his discussion of illegal immigration, Alison interrupted him to inquire, ‘But is it out of control do you think at the moment?’
The Great British Bake Off host also addressed Suella Braverman’s speeding ticket, following the announcement that the home secretary would not be fired for allegedly violating the ministerial code by requesting taxpayer-funded assistance with a private matter.
Alison questioned whether Mr. Sunak had ‘let her off the hook’ as the discussion grew acrimonious.
He replied: ‘Sadly politics is full of these types of things [distractions] but Alison, I haven’t let her off the hook, I’ve gone through the details of what happened.
‘But no, she didn’t [break the rules] and I’ve spent time going through it and I’ve also asked my independent advisor who has also met with her and she’s made a fulsome disclosure of what happened.
‘She’s expressed regret and the point is, she took advice. She herself has said she would’ve done things differently in hindsight and that’s the right approach, she apologised and on the basis of that, the independent advisors have said there’s no need for a formal investigation and we can close the matter here.’
He added: ‘Look, ultimately she took the points, she paid the fine as she should have done… she’s made a full account of it, she’s apologised and it’s right to draw a line under it now.’
The three also discussed Mr. Sunak’s children, public confidence, and teacher disruptions.
Some observers accused Alison of ‘fawning’ over the leader of the Conservative party as the interview continued.
One wrote: ‘Could Alison Hammond have been any more fawning over Rishi? #thismorning OK, it was never going to be a grilling, but honestly, you might have just as well have asked “what’s your favourite colour?” Etc.’
Recalling one of Alison’s questions on what made the Prime Minister cry, to which he indicated it was something to do with his children, another viewer blasted: ‘When did Rishi Sunak last cry? Why didn’t Alison Hammond ask when was the last time he thought about how many times people around the UK have cried, every time they look in their food cupboards? Don’t even watch This Morning and I feel riled up.’
Another fumed: ‘If this Sunak interview proves one thing Alison Hammond should not be a main a presenter on This Morning.’
Could Alison Hammond have been any more fawning over Rishi? #thismorning OK, it was never going to be a grilling, but honestly, you might have just as well have asked "what's your favourite colour?" Etc
— treborchew (@treborchew10) May 25, 2023
When did Rishi Sunak last cry?
Why didn't Alison Hammond ask when was the last time he thought about how many times people around the UK have cried, every time they look in their food cupboards?
Don't even watch This Morning and I feel riled up.
— Story Strategist | She/Her 🇺🇦 (@gillianography) May 25, 2023
Alison Hammond's fawning over Sunak 🤮 pic.twitter.com/iUM7m6f4MD
— Stephen Miller (@BoyCharioteer) May 25, 2023
Alison Hammond putting up a more robust line of questioning to Rishi Sunak rn than most politicians
— Ava-Santina (@AvaSantina) May 25, 2023
So impressive. Not a fan of Alison Hammond but she picked up the pace today as well.
— Gregory Baser (@gregorybaser) May 25, 2023
Not our queen Alison Hammond giving Rishi Sunak an easy ride on This Morning
— Alex Hickson (@alexhicksonpr) May 25, 2023
woo hoo alison hammond hammering rishi sunak on this morning go girl . #ThisMorning #RishiSunak
— sital kotecha (@Jackfrost1706) May 25, 2023
Someone else wrote: ‘Not our queen Alison Hammond giving Rishi Sunak an easy ride on This Morning.’
Others were more favourable towards Alison’s approach, with one viewer stating that her questions were more ‘robust’ than politicians.
They shared: ‘Alison Hammond putting up a more robust line of questioning to Rishi Sunak rn than most politicians.’
Another branded Alison a ‘national treasure,’ while someone else wrote: ‘Woo hoo Alison Hammond hammering Rishi Sunak on This Morning go girl.’
Meanwhile, This Morning regular Matthew Wright brought the attention to Alison’s co-host, writing: ‘#CraigDoyle doing a brilliant job trying to hold slippery Rishi to account on @thismorning#ThisMorning.’
Someone else echoed: ‘Craig Doyle And Alison Hammond really great interview with PM, Craig hit in with the hard hitting of the minute questions while Alison brought the normal side out of the PM.’
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
Source My Celebrity Life.