Piers Morgan, 54, was on hand to present today’s edition of Good Morning Britain alongside news anchor Charlotte Hawkins, 44, and resident health expert, Dr Hilary Jones, 66. Matt Hancock, 41, spoke with the presenters about the ongoing coronavirus outbreak hitting the UK and tried to give perspective on how the government was trying to prevent the spread. During the interview, however, the politician was left squirming as he clashed with the host on several occasions.
One of the main queries Morgan had was about whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 55, was going to “lockdown” the country as people continue to struggle with social distancing.
As the Health Secretary claimed the Government’s position had been the same all along, the host strongly disagreed.
Raging about the “herd immunity” plan which was suggested at the beginning of the outbreak before social distancing was implemented, the presenter claimed the politician was “insulting his intelligence”.
The host declared the stance had “dramatically changed” as he continued to cut off the politician who was trying to provide an answer.
READ MORE: Piers Morgan tears into health secretary over coronavirus plans
Of a lockdown, Morgan asked: “Why is he [Johnson] not mandating it?
“Why is he not locking down the country, if that is now the strategy having pursued a different strategy two weeks ago, if that is the new strategy, lock the country down.”
Claiming the plan has been the same “all along”, Hancock added the measures have always been to “protect life and to make sure we stop the spread of this virus”.
The politician was then cut off as the host believed the Health Secretary was “insulting his intelligence” with regards to the changing policy.
Referring to the article in question, the host said: “Those present say it was quote, ‘Herd immunity, protect the economy and if that means some pensioners die, too bad.’
“Not a direct quote, a summation of Dominic Cummings’ view of the Government strategy and we know herd immunity was the strategy for the next two weeks and then dramatically, it changed. To actually the complete opposite.”
With the politician still on hand to answer questions, he could be seen squirming as Morgan told him: “So please don’t insult my intelligence by telling me we followed the same strategy.”
The politician did explain the scenes of people flocking to UK tourist destinations over the weekend were “damaging”.
“Over the weekend, I signed new laws to allow police to enforce the bans on pubs and clubs and restaurants.
“And as we’ve seen, the number of people not following advice is incredibly damaging to the effort to stop the spread of the virus.”
According to the latest figures, a total of 5,683 positive cases have been reported in the UK, with 281 deaths.
The Prime Minister is set to give a daily briefing later today when he will announce the Government’s stance on the coronavirus outbreak.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.
