The BBC has cancelled an interview with Boris Johnson after Laura Kuenssberg unintentionally despatched the previous prime minister her briefing notes.
Kuenssberg, who presents the broadcaster’s Sunday politics present, stated “there’s no point pretending it’s anything other than embarrassing and disappointing”.
Revealing the error on X, she stated she had been making ready to interview Mr Johnson on Thursday and “by mistake I sent our briefing notes to him in a message meant for my team”.
“That obviously means it’s not right for the interview to go ahead,” she added.
The previous BBC political editor stated it was “frustrating” and there are “plenty of important questions to be asked”.
“But red faces aside, honesty is the best policy,” Kuenssberg added.
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Laura Kuenssberg (R) with actress Kate Winslet final month. Pic: BBC
The interview with Mr Johnson was on account of be aired in a particular 30-minute programme on Thursday night and had been closely promoted by the BBC for the previous fortnight.
It was set to be the primary interview as a part of a media spherical for the previous prime minister to publicise his new e book Unleashed which is launched on 10 October.
The BBC’s press workforce stated sharing the notes with Mr Johnson makes an interview with him “untenable”.
A spokesman added: “Under the circumstances, both the BBC and Mr Johnson’s team have agreed this is the best way forward.”
Mr Johnson’s publishers have stated the e book “will deliver unmissable cultural and political coverage that will have the nation talking”.
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Pic: PA
Excerpts from the e book have already been launched within the print media, with Mr Johnson saying he’s now not certain lockdowns he imposed performed a decisive function in defeating COVID.
He additionally claimed he thought-about authorising a raid on a warehouse within the Netherlands to retrieve COVID vaccines, admitting the plan was “nuts”.
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Boris Johnson stated he was requested to offer the Duke of Sussex a ‘manly pep discuss’ to steer him to remain within the UK
The ex-Tory chief accused Rishi Sunak of forcing the top of Mr Johnson’s political profession by assassinating him – like Brutus killing Julius Caesar.
Mr Johnson stated he had beforehand thought-about Mr Sunak to be a “friend and partner”.
Within the excerpts, Mr Johnson has additionally claimed Buckingham Palace requested him to steer the Duke of Sussex to not go away the UK, and agreed to offer him a “manly pep talk”.
