You Might Like
Andrew Marr’s Editor Explains On-Air Thumbs-Up To Minister Penny Mordaunt Was ‘Polite And Human’
Andrew Marr was “being polite” to Conservative minister Penny Mordaunt because he is an “actual human”, the editor of the BBC’s flagship politics programme has said after an unguarded on-air thumbs-up prompted a rash of online conspiracy theories.
Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, was appearing on the Sunday morning programme to discuss the sexual misconduct allegations against Oxfam workers.
As the interview turned to Brexit at its conclusion, the Cabinet minister insisted she was still “chipper” about the process.
As he handed over to Nick Campbell for a preview of the next show, Marr appeared to give Mordaunt a thumbs-up and tell her “that was very good”.
The gaffe was picked up by many watching on Twitter.
Did Andrew Marr just turn to @PennyMordaunt at the end of this interview on @MarrShow and whisper “that was very good”!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/gXjQnAFxbL
— Peter Stefanovic (@PeterStefanovi2) February 11, 2018
What looked to be an unfortunate error was swiftly ramped up to something more conspiratorial.
Some suggested it showed senior BBC journalists were being soft with the Conservative government over Brexit.
The ‘alt-left’ blog The Skwawkbox, which has made repeated claims of BBC bias, was at the vanguard of the criticism.
Journalists who don’t work for the BBC made clear Marr was engaging in fairly standard practice.
Oh god. This is normal. It’s normal for a presenter to say “that was very good” to ANY guest, even if they’ve just worked them over. He’s being polite. t.co/F6bLNCxjg3
— Mark Di Stefano ?? (@MarkDiStef) February 11, 2018
We appear to have reached the point at which people are willing to believe that an unremarkable display of elementary courtesy is evidence of conspiracy. t.co/nTbll4SRyX
— Andrew Mueller (@andrew_mueller) February 11, 2018
Those who are saying this is a “sign” the BBC and Tories are too close – it doesn’t confirm anything of the sort. It’s just basic courtesy. I’ve done plenty of media and interviewers often say something like that to thank you – even if they haven’t met you before. t.co/PLnSObcWRR
— Louise Ridley (@LouiseRidley) February 11, 2018
As did existing and former senior BBC broadcasters.
Just to be clear about Marr giving Penny Mordaunt a thumbs up after her interview “v good” this is NOT unusual or a sign of bias. I’ve done it myself to politicians of left & right loads of times and it is simply like shaking hands at the end of a match. Means zilch politically
— Giles Dilnot (@reporterboy) February 11, 2018
Glad to see you’ve almost got as many conspiracy theorists on your side of the Atlantic…. t.co/Nj6jaowVjh
— Jon Sopel (@BBCJonSopel) February 11, 2018
You can’t reason people out of something they haven’t reasoned themselves into in the first place t.co/AI8PDM4V6e
— Gavin Esler (@gavinesler) February 11, 2018
But it was the Editor of The Andrew Marr Show, Rob Burley, who went to greatest effort to explain – throughout Sunday – what had happened.
Burley has previously spoken to HuffPost UK about the repeated accusations of ‘#BBCbias’ politics shows face.
He argues that licence fee payers are “absolutely entitled to express opinions, express a view, question or criticise”, but that he won’t ignore a mis-characterisation.
This appeared to be the case on Sunday as Burley tweeted repeatedly about how Marr was acting “suspiciously like a human being”.
Well, first up judge the interview itself which was very firm. Second, because of the orthodoxy of all this you wouldn’t ideally do that on air. But it’s a bit silly though I understand why. Third, AM thought off air so just being nice, he thought, off air. t.co/P11no4naYT
— Rob Burley (@RobBurl) February 11, 2018
Caught being a human. Pleasant, friendly, normal. Give it a go! t.co/V9w8rIt0O9
— Rob Burley (@RobBurl) February 11, 2018
Watch as people hate on someone just being nice and friendly and human (as AM is to all guests). It’s tragic. t.co/BLFor8h2lu
— Rob Burley (@RobBurl) February 11, 2018
Not only is @AndrewMarr9 acting suspiciously like a normal person being friendly, he also has “jug ears”. t.co/vrEXLhfBV5
— Rob Burley (@RobBurl) February 11, 2018
It’s called being polite and human and warm and decent Phil. C’mon, give it a go! t.co/d8sPNd50S7
— Rob Burley (@RobBurl) February 11, 2018
At one stage, he wrote:
“I hate to spoil what you see as the final, clinching evidence of a high level conspiracy, but he was just being nice like an actual human as he is to everyone he interviews, regardless of party.
“It’s the truth – though less exciting than your own version, I grant you.”
I hate to spoil what you see as the final, clinching evidence of a high level conspiracy, but he was just being nice like an actual human as he is to everyone he interviews, regardless of party. It’s the truth though less exciting than your own version I grant you. t.co/NUuNxGYALr
— Rob Burley (@RobBurl) February 11, 2018
He was just being nice and friendly, as he is to all his guests. Give it a go! It’s fun! t.co/GJ93bUCFfe
— Rob Burley (@RobBurl) February 11, 2018
Yes, hard for you to understand I know, but he’s nice to people wherever they are on the political spectrum. He was just being an actual human. t.co/eSf6jiRV5L
— Rob Burley (@RobBurl) February 11, 2018
Well there isn’t any such footage because obviously it’s the vast majority of the time off camera. Anyway, I’m off to gnaw my arm off in sheer bewilderment and frustration. . . t.co/jqmso7ZuCe
— Rob Burley (@RobBurl) February 11, 2018
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/andrew-mar-penny-mordaunt_uk_5a807929e4b044b3821e6cec
You Might Like