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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

GMB fans sickened as 'screaming' ex-MEP defends bankers' bonuses during Queen's mourning

Good Morning Britain viewers were left fuming this morning [September 16], thanks to a heated debate about bankers' bonuses.

Former MEP Ben Habib and Bank of Dave owner David Fishwick clashed as they discussed the possibility unlimited bonuses for millionaire bankers could once again be permitted as the new Tory government attempts to woo the City - despite the many across the country being impacted by the ongoing Cost of Living crisis.

As the two men shouted over each other during the tense discussion, ITV viewers took to social media to blast both parties for their conduct during the segment - slamming the raised voices and presenters Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway's struggle to keep the debate on track.

Earlier this week, it was reported the new Prime Minister Liz Truss has drawn up plans to scrap bankers' bonus cap in middle of the cost of living crisis - with Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng weighing up abolishing a cap that means bosses cannot award more than double an employee's salary.

Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway hosted the heated debate from the ITV studios (ITV)

Insiders have confirmed to The Mirror that the move - which Boris Johnson shied away from when he was in charge because of backlash fears - is being considered.

Discussing the proposed plans on this week's final edition of Good Morning Britain, former MEP Ben Habib and Bank of Dave owner David Fishwick had very different opinions on the possible change to bankers' bonuses - with voices being raised at several points during the heated debate.

Ben was strongly in favour of allowing bankers to receive unlimited amounts of money in bonuses - claiming it stops bankers leaving London in favour and working elsewhere - while David argued the government should be prioritising the needs of 'good, honest working people' who are struggling with rising bills during the Cost of Living crisis.

The former MEP is heavily in favour of scrapping the cap on bankers' bonuses (ITV)

As the two men shouted over each other, viewers watching at home took to social media to suggest the debate could have been a bit more restrained.

"Stop this shouting!!! It’s far too early for this, be quiet #gmb," one viewer declared on Twitter, as another mused: "Now this is turning into Punch and Judy."

"Well this is a s*** show," another unimpressed viewer wrote. "It’s the presenters job to steer an interview, instead they are just letting them shout over each other. Kates just sitting there with a bloody clueless look on her face, she may as well be twiddling her hair #gmb #goodmorningbritain."

The Bank of Dave founder is strongly opposed to the cap being scrapped (ITV)

"Oooh a bit of a difference of opinion here, quick get back to the civilised queue!! #gmb," one quipped - referring to Good Morning Britain's coverage of the lengthy queue to enter Westminster Hall for the Queen's lying-in-state.

Others credited David for blasting the plans to scrap the cap, with one writing: "Dave Fishwick schooling the vile Ben Habib on social & ethical awareness #GMB."

Mr Kwarteng reportedly told City bosses last week: "We need to be decisive and do things differently." Labour has previously lashed out at the idea, with leader Keir Starmer branding it "pay rises for bankers, pay cuts for district nurses".

Both men shouted over each other during the heated debate (ITV)

Yesterday, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: "Bonuses in the City are already at a record high.

"While City executives rake it in, millions are struggling to keep their heads above water.

"Working people are being walloped by soaring prices after the longest and harshest wage squeeze in modern history.

"The chancellor's number one priority should be getting wages rising for everyone – not boosting bumper bonuses for those at the top."

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