viewers have blasted Monday’s interview with after he joked he was warned about appearing on the show.
The Labour leader joined Ruth Langsford, Linda Robson, Brenda Edwards and Jane Moore on Monday’s episode to help the ITV daytime show launch Arthritis Care Awareness Week, and he laughed as the hosts asked if he was nervous.
He quipped: ‘I’ve been told by everyone this morning – you must be very brave!’
Although he was on to discuss arthritis and his– a rare form of arthritis which can destroy the joints – the panel started by grilling Sir Keir on beergate after he for sharing a takeaway with activists at a time when indoor mixing was banned, aside from at work.
The Labour leader repeated his stance that he would step down if fined, but he again insisted: ‘I haven’t broken the rules and I’m sure that’s gonna be the finding.’
Viewers accused the Loose Women of interrupting the politician, and Ruth quickly moved things on while he was speaking to Brenda, who asked what he would say to people who don’t vote as he brought up the importance of ‘trust’ in politics.
Ruth interjected: ‘That investigation is ongoing and I promised I would keep the time for you to talk about Arthritis Care Awareness week, so I apologise for interrupting.’
One viewer tweeted: ‘Sir Kier Starmer ambushed on @loosewomen that well know hive of intellectual discussion, before a crude left turn to allow him to discuss arthritis, you stay classy (sic)’
Another said: ‘Loose women are trying to gun for boring Keir Starmer but it’s not really working, they aren’t letting him finish answering a question. They are just straight on the attack. This isn’t an interview. #loosewomen’
‘@loosewomen Leave @Keir_Starmer alone now. This is complete and utter bullying by you all,’ another social media user claimed, and a fourth added: ‘Starmer coming an absolute cropper on Loose Women. What a car crash.’
While a different viewer quipped: ‘Sir Keir Starmer is currently on the Loose Women panel. Looks about as comfortable as a penguin on a sunbed’
Others suggested Prime Minister Boris Johnson would have enjoyed watching the interview, claiming Sir Keir didn’t come across well under the line of questioning.
‘Loose women on the tv, Keir Starmer being interviewed, absolute car crash interview,’ wrote one viewer. ‘What a disaster, the women are tieing him in knots!!! Boris will be laughing at this. no wonder the tories feel invincible (sic)’
And a different Twitter user praised Ruth for the way she chaired the chat, adding: ‘@RuthieeL well done for some ‘to the point’ questions to Keir Starmer today on @loosewomen on Beergate. Not done in a hostile way like some, but not licking his backside either, just calm, polite, probing. #ProperJournalist (sic)’
Metro.co.uk has contacted ITV for comment.
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV.
