LAURA Kuenssberg was forced to address a loud protest live on air as she interviewed Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the first day of Labour's party conference.
The pair in Liverpool were live ahead of the opening of the conference, with Kuenssberg questioning Burnham on whether he would back a third runway at Heathrow, the NHS and concern in financial markets about the UK economy’s health.
As Burnham told Kuenssberg that it is “hard to conclude” far-right activist Daniel Thomas, known to his supporters as Danny Tommo, is “anything other than someone who has racist views”, a protest was heard outside.
It is unclear what the protest was for, with thousands expected later in the day to call for Burnham to rescind the proscription of Palestine Action.
Kuenssberg told viewers: "People might be able to hear there's some protests going on outside. We're not sure what people are protesting about.
"It's quite a normal thing to happen at a party conference, but just if you hear that in the background, than that is what is going on."
Burnham went on to appeal for “calm on all sides” over the Orange Order parade, saying there have been “big gains made in Northern Ireland, and we don’t want to see things go backwards”.
He said: “I know it’s a tense situation. We do appeal for calm on all sides.
“There have been big gains made in Northern Ireland, and we don’t want to see things go backwards.
“So, obviously, a challenging situation today, but it’s very important that we work to bring calm.”
He also said there has been a decision taken by the Independent Parades Commission which has been upheld in the courts.
He added: “The job that I have, that the Secretary of Northern Ireland has, is upholding the Good Friday Agreement, and I take that responsibility really seriously. It’s 30 years old next year.
“It’s also the responsibility of the Taoiseach in the Republic of Ireland, and I spoke to him yesterday because we work very closely together on all these matters.”
