Royal Mail's CEO has been called out by BBC Breakfast viewers after appearing on the show to address the ongoing postal workers' pay dispute.
BBC presenter Jon Kay welcomed CEO Simon Thompson to Wednesday's show via video call to be probed over the ongoing dispute with the Communication Workers Union.
But during the interview some viewers were quick to point out a reflection behind the CEO which appears to be an assistant attempting to feed Mr Thompon's answers.
And of course CWU soon jumped on the footage sharing it to social media in a now viral video.
The enhanced video released by CWU appears to show the aide's silhouette as they write "answers on a board" for the Rail Mass boss.
CWU tweeted out the clip with the message: "We have spotted something during Simon Thompson’s car crash interview on the BBC this morning.
"Having zoomed in, someone is in the room writing answers on a board for him."
In a brutal blow they added: "Pack your bags, Thompson. It’s time to go."
One Twitter user posted: "How sad must you be to need someone to write the answers for you when you’re supposed to be in charge."
Another added: "A CEO being told what to say? Shouldn't he be the one telling people what to do?"
A third chimed in: "That’s pathetic from a CEO #StandByYourPost "
But not everyone agreed with a number of Twitter users stating many prominent figures would have assistance during live interviews.
One tweeted: "All people at the top whether a politician or CEO have people in the room advising with written notes. Boris Johnson always did it especially when facing the Select Committee. Your Tweet is a non story and your members deserve better."
Meanwhile the actual interview saw Mr Thompson recalling who he'd heard first-hand from a customer how the 'planned industrial action was going to be 'disruptive to their business'.
The Royal Mail CEO began: "This morning on my way in I was listening to one of our customers.
"One of our customers from a company called Biscuiteers, who said that what we are doing to provide seven-day delivery of parcels for next day delivery as well, is doing absolutely the right thing.
"But they were also very, very clear that what is currently planned in terms of industrial action up until Christmas is going to be very disruptive to their business."
But the show's BBC host Jon Kay probed further accusing Thompson of failing to 'turn up for the last stage of talks'.
Mr Thompson replied: "Well, I think that that is not true," Simon replied as Jon interrupted: "You were at the last stage of the talks?"
Mr Thompson insisted: "We had three weeks of talks with Acas, which I was very involved with, including over the weekend.
"And I think we have put our final offer to the CWU, we made 11 concessions based on the feedback from our team, and I am available at any time at all."
The CWU has formally notified Royal Mail they plan to call on their members who collect, sort and deliver parcels and letters to take national strike action with the next dates planned for Friday 9 December, Sunday 11 December and Wednesday 14 December 2022.
Meanwhile Royal Mail said they have 'well-developed contingency plans' to keep the services running but apologised that the strike action is likely to cause some disruption.
