Comedian Joe Lycett had fans in stitches as he mocked Tory leadership candidate Liz Truss on the BBC's new political show Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg. The Foreign Secretary said in an interview on Laura's first Sunday show that she promised 'immediate' action to help Britons with 'eye watering' energy bills if she is confirmed as the new Prime Minister tomorrow (Monday September 5).
After she finished speaking Joe could be heard clapping and cheering "fantastic Liz" and Laura told him: "I'm going to let you calm down a bit before I ask you what you think." "I loved it," he said sarcastically. "Well done Liz."
As Laura returned to him on the panel to ask what he thought of her interview, he joked: "You said earlier that I'm not left or right. I'm actually very right wing and I loved it. I thought she was very clear she gave great clear answers. I know exactly what she's up to. Most people watching at home who are worried about their bills are going to feel..."
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Laura cut in: "There’s a serious point, Joe. She suggested there’s a big package of help coming this week to hep people pay their bills." Joe smiled: "She was very clear what she said. I think we know exactly what’s going to happen. You’re reassured, I’m reassured." Turning to Labour's Emily Thornberry he asked: "Are you reassured?"
Ms Thornberry was described as 'smirking in the corner' by former BBC Political Editor Laura. And she replied after Joe's remarks: "I'm trying not to smirk."
Joe went on to say: " ‘I think the haters will say that we’ve had 12 years of the Tories and that we’re sort of at the dregs of what they’ve got available and that Liz Truss is sort of like the backwash of the available MPs. I wouldn’t say that because I’m incredibly right wing, but some people might say that."
As Laura suggested that the ‘consensus’ in politics is often wrong, and we don’t know what’s going to pan out, Joe said: "As Liz said there, it would be wrong to predict the future – even though loads of people have predicted that we’re going to have real issues with paying our energy bills. But I think she’s right to say 'let’s not predict and see what happens next week.' I think she did the right thing there."
Speaking about fellow candidate Rishi Sunak he joked: "It was nice to hear from Rishi Sunak. He's not going to be Prime Minister so you may as well have interviewed Peter Andre."
@DeidreBLou tweeted: "I adore @joelycett even more than I did." @AlexAndlau said: "God bless Joe Lycett. That is all." And @BiteYourBrum wrote: "Grade A trolling from @joelycett this morning. Sensational scenes #bbclaurak."
Chris Cook, creative director for BBC News UK output operations, said: " Great to have you on Joe - was lovely to see you - @jsjallen was right you are lovely." @henjamintaylor decided: "Joe Lycett is an absolute angel who must be protected at all costs." And @DoyleyWoods46 praised: "Always loved @joelycett but now I want to adopt him. National treasure in the making."
However his appearance on the show didn't go down well with other viewers. @InfinitelyTJ blasted: "I was disgusted by @joelycett and his performance on the show. Clearly no money worries or compassion."
@stevemaggs1968 remarked: "Oh he was being sarcastic? I didn’t realise. I genuinely thought he was right wing but then I wasn’t paying it much attention. It wasn’t extreme enough sarcasm to be funny. It feels cruel as it was Laura’s first show and having a guest who isn’t taking it seriously feels unkind."
But @ThomasWatsonUK replied: "On the contrary; I’m sure Joe was taking it very seriously indeed and that is why he responded in the manner he did. Ridicule, done thoughtfully, is an incredibly important part of democracy."
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