As he defended his appearance on Laura Kuenssberg’s Sunday politics show, Joe Lycett mentioned his love for Liz Truss and expressed his happiness that she would be the next prime minister.
The comedian said today that before he appeared on Laura Kuenssberg’s new flagship programme, editors from the BBC informed him that they wanted to “go in a slightly different direction.”
Prior to mockingly applauding and cheering Liz Truss throughout her interview, he claimed that the presenter and her editors had told him that they were interested in airing “different viewpoints.”
And after learning that Liz Truss had been chosen as the Conservative Party’s new leader on Monday afternoon, Lycett tweeted his congratulations: “Yes, @trussliz smashed it babe!,” someone said.
When questioned about his behaviour earlier today, he said to Times Radio that he didn’t believe the BBC would be “upset” with him because of what they had told him prior to his guest appearance.
It happens at a time when the BBC is receiving criticism for booking the comedian, with the broadcaster facing accusations that the Sunday flagship show is being “dumbed down.”
Lycett said he was “incredibly right-wing” while defending his appearance, telling Matt Chorley: “I genuinely don’t think they’re upset about it.”
“When I spoke with Laura and her team in advance, they said they wanted to take a slightly different path.
“They wanted to make it sort of bring it out to different viewpoints,” says the author.
Expanding on his remarks from yesterday, Lycett said: “I suppose they maybe didn’t realise that I’m really right-wing now that I think maybe they thought I was left-wing.”
I’ve let you know that over the years, my opinions have evolved.
But Liz Truss has also changed; previously a Lib Dem, she is now a Tory, and a Brexiteer.
“People have their minds changed.
“And you need to maintain that.”
“So yeah, I think they were perhaps a little taken aback that I’m now quite right wing.” But doesn’t that happen?
“Someone once remarked that as you age, your right-wing tendencies increase by 8%. So I guess I just got ahead of it?
In addition, Lycett informed the host that Liz Truss “got up quicker than she’d been told to” after the interview.
She appeared to have stood up earlier than expected, he continued.
She had, in the words of my BBC source—and I’m using her exact words—”a face like a slapped a***.”
“I’m not sure whether that means anything, to be honest.
However, Liz Truss is my favourite politician, so I would be devastated if I in any way had caused her to feel bad.
“And I’m ecstatic that she’ll be prime minister,” I said.
She was very concise in her remarks, according to Joe Lycett. I believe you are completely aware of what will happen. Are you reassured? Were you reassured, too?
Lycett reiterated that he believed her plans to be “quite transparent.”
“We all anticipate what she will do.” The plan was also well received by everyone. Everyone here agrees with that. And I think it’s well thought out,’ he continued.
Just days before Liz Truss is anticipated to be elected as the next prime minister, the BBC and Laura Kuenssberg have come under fire for hiring a comic to make fun of her.
If she is confirmed as the Tory leader, Ms. Truss will take the chance on Kuenssberg’s first Sunday show to vow ‘urgent’ action to assist Britons with energy bills.
Lycett, who frequently criticises the Conservative party and the Government, applauded sarcastically after her interview and then claimed to be “quite right wing.”
The BBC might “maybe rethink the “comedian” role,” SNP MP Pete Wishart said.
Emily Thornberry, a Labour frontbencher, and Cleo Watson, a former staffer in Downing Street, stood on each side of Lycett.
According to Miss Kuenssberg, Miss Thornberry was “smiling in the corner” in response to the comedian’s actions.
Lycett had hinted at his emotions the night before on Twitter, writing that he was “very eager to be on this new version of Would I Lie To You.”
Consternation and amusement were raised last night over the BBC’s choice to include him in the crucial new show’s premiere.
Who said what, Joe Lycett?
Joe Lycett entertained viewers on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC by steadfastly supporting Liz Truss and the Conservative party. What did he say, though?
about the leadership competition
‘It’s been a terrific use of resources, a great use of our media, to have infighting in the Tory party while there’s a major cost of living issue looming.’
On Janet Daly’s claim Liz Truss is ‘stronger than you think’
Good game, Janet. The critics will likely claim that since the Tories have controlled government for 12 years, we are now at the very end of their capacity and that Liz Truss represents the remnants of their MPs.
Since I lean extremely right, I wouldn’t say that, but some people might.
Regarding Liz Truss’ energy costs:
“I adored it.”
You said that I am not a member of the left, right, or right wing. Since I lean strongly to the right, I adored it. She seemed to be very clear and provided excellent, concise responses.
“I know exactly what she’s doing, and I think the majority of people watching at home fretting about their bills will feel [reassured]…,” the speaker said.
She was very precise in her remarks. I believe you are completely aware of what will happen. Are you reassured? Were you reassured, too?
“I thought she did the right thing there,” I said after hearing what she had to say about waiting and not making predictions.
Regarding strategies for easing the cost-of-living crisis:
We urgently need assistance, so I would like to see some kind of strategy or concrete plan.
Why not at this time? Oh no, I’ve switched to the left.
“That’s supposed to be a serious political program,” a top Tory party source said. I believe Laura Kuenssberg looked foolish because of it. It seems ridiculous to me.
How is that possibly the BBC’s best course of action? If I were the BBC, I would apologize, admit our error, and promise to resume producing serious political programming.
Former BBC live political programme editor Rob Burley issued the following memo: “Memo: Don’t put comedians on Question Time or any other serious political show.” No longer is the time for that nonsense. When he appears before the Commons culture committee this week, BBC director-general Tim Davie is expected to face questions regarding the slurs.
Have I Got News For You spent the entirety of its Friday half-hour mocking the departing PM, including by using the c-word, according to yesterday’s Mail on Sunday.
Leopards do not change their spots, and it appears that the BBC has turned its attention to Liz Truss now that they can no longer use taxpayer funds to attack Boris, according to Tory backbencher Lee Anderson, who claimed last year that he tore up his TV licence in protest at the BBC’s Princess Diana scandal.
‘I’ve been a hesitant supporter of defunding the BBC, expecting it would revert to what it was, but it appears those days are gone,’ former minister Sir John Hayes said. Now, it is so blatantly prejudiced.
Lycett, however, received compliments on Twitter, notably from comedian Nish Kumar, author Jay Rayner, and Labour MP Jess Phillips.
Senior officials within the BBC’s news division defended the new program, claiming it required “levity” and will eventually include “people of different perspectives.”
It’s critical, they said, that objectivity isn’t mistaken for balance in a single program. That is not, and never has been, the goal. Please demonstrate a launch plan that is flawless from day one.
In the event that Liz Truss becomes the leader of the Conservative Party, she has promised to present a £100 billion cost-of-living plan that may involve freezing energy prices for millions of households.
The Foreign Secretary vowed to provide a strategy to assist millions of households with skyrocketing energy costs in her first week as prime minister. She is generally anticipated to be named the next Tory leader this afternoon.
The enormous assistance package is thought to be valued more than £100 billion, making it comparable in size to the Covid furlough plan.
A freeze on household and corporate energy costs is one of the solutions under consideration.
Miss Truss promised “rapid action” last night to help families get through the winter while addressing the “root cause” of the crisis.
She told the Daily Mail, “I have a bold plan to get Britain through tough times and bring us out the other side stronger.” “I would work diligently to deliver for the people of Britain,” I said if I were elected prime minister.
Miss Truss yesterday pledged to take “urgent” action to address the energy problem, but she did not elaborate on the assistance that suffering people may anticipate.
The Foreign Secretary said she wants to reassure voters that assistance is on the way, but she insisted that they would need to wait a few days to see precisely what the support may include. She rejected that she was being “coy.”
When asked whether she would take action as prime minister, Miss Truss said, “I will act,” in an interview with the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. Since I believe that bills and energy supplies go hand in hand, I will take urgent action.
Miss Truss seemed to dismiss dire predictions for the future by asserting that the nation had “been through worse.”