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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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Zoe Williams

Shabana Mahmood’s expletive was shocking. But not for the reason you think

Shabana Mahmood at podium with detail of union jack behind her
Shabana Mahmood at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, 1 October 2025. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

If all you know about Shabana Mahmood’s interview with the comedian Matt Forde, which was recorded live at a West End theatre on Monday, is that she said a heckler should “fuck right off”, then it’s worth listening to the heckle itself. Hell, knock yourself out and listen to the whole podcast. The accompanying blurb calls the home secretary “impassioned, thoughtful and hilarious”, which we’ll come back to, except to say there is nothing hilarious about this exchange.

The heckler accused Mahmood of “out-Reforming Reform” and confecting a “theatre of cruelty” with her new immigration policy ideas, before being removed by security.

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