Good Morning Britain viewers were left enraged this morning after MP Brandon Lewis continually defended Boris Johnson over the latest 'Partygate' scandal.
The MP was grilled by co-hosts Kate Garraway and Adil Ray on the ITV breakfast show as the presenters couldn't hide their frustration over Boris breaking his own ministerial code.
During his appearance on the ITV show, the Northern Irish MP likened the PM's fine to that of a speeding ticket as Boris prepares to face parliament today.
The Prime Minister, his wife, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were all served fines by the Metropolitan Police after being found to have broken the government's own lockdown laws.
Kate Garraway asked Brandon Lewis today: "What degree of apology will satisfy you that he really gets it and has really moved on?"
He said: "I haven't seen the details of what the Prime Minister is going to say today, but I know he will as he said he would be speaking to parliament and that's what he will do this afternoon.
"I think we will see the Prime Minister apologising as he did when the fixed penalty notice was made public last week, as he said he would always be public about any findings of the police and the Sue Gray report may have.
"He's apologised, he's paid the fine and respected that decision."
The tense interview continued, as Adil began reading some of the Ministerial Code, telling the MP: "He hasn't done that, so should we just tear up the ministerial code?" as he ripped the piece of paper it was written on.
"No, I think the ministerial code is an important feature of parliamentary democracy," Mr Lewis said, as Adil and Kate interrupted.
The pair quizzed Mr Lewis, asking him:: "How is it important if the Prime Minister is not sticking to it?"
He tried to explain, adding: "We've seen over the years, sadly, that ministers from both Conservative and Labour governments have penalty notices, whether that's speeding offences or traffic offences.
"That's not the same, I appreciate, as the sacrifices some have made through Covid but we have seen that happen over the years. People have to accept that. If you get something wrong, you have to accept that and learn from that and move forward."
Viewers took to Twitter as the show aired to vent their frustration over Brandon's comments.
One angry viewer wrote: "Hope the electorate in #GreatYarmouth are happy with the servile performance of their #MP today, as @BrandonLewis utterly debases & embarrasses himself, in his robust defence of the #PM? The whole #ToryGovernment basks in a sea of corruption, while laughing at us all! #GMB "
" @BrandonLewis You have just said on #GMB that #Johnson understands the anger “people had”. Trust me, the people still HAVE that anger. When you defend the liar, you make yourself just as bad. The whole lot of you disgust me. Get rid of him now! #JohnsonMustGoNow," another raged.
A third agreed: " #GMB Imagine having to go on live TV to lie for your boss, because he can't act like a grown up and take responsibility."
" #gmb stop defending the indedensible," penned a fourth.
A fifth wrote: "Just grow a backbone, you seriously cannot believe the BS that you are spouting in defence of your law breaking boss! @BrandonLewis you are a disgrace! @adilray is showing the anger I feel! @GMB #GMB "
However, not everyone enjoyed the heated tone of the debate.
One said: "Kate spoke the whole way through that debate, what was the point in getting guests on? #gmb "
" #GMB Kate Garraway and her sidekick Adil, what an annoying pair, going at Brandon Lewis like a couple of hyenas tearing at a carcass. Neither of you are Piers Morgan, and also the viewers would like to hear what the interviewee has to say occasionally," another fumed.
A third agreed: " #gmb is it criteria to appear on this show whether guest or presenter to constantly talk over one another?!"
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
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