GMB’s Susanna Reid slaps down eco-protester in very icy on-air clash
SUSANNA Reid had a very icy exchange with an eco-protester live on today’s Good Morning Britain.
The broadcaster clashed with Insulate Britain’s Tracey Mallaghan after the guest patronisingly referred to her as ‘darling’.
The ill-tempered segment debated whether or not it was right for an eco-protester to ambush George Osborne’s wedding and shower the bride and groom with orange confetti.
Podcaster and political commentator Konstantin Kisin argued that it sets a dangerous precedent, while Tracey was all for it and said she’d have been tempted to go further and ‘slap’ Mr Osborne had she been at the wedding.
She also claimed that Mr Osborne was responsible for anti-climate change rhetoric during his time in government but was unable to provide evidence.
Susanna said: “Tell us what happened?”
Tracey responded: “What happened with what, darling?”
Taken aback, Susanna closed her eyes and composed herself, before replying: “Sorry, you don’t need to call me darling.”
Later in the discussion Tracey said she was reduced to tears while watching her ally Liam Norton getting quizzed on GMB in a past interview.
She was particularly upset that the line of questioning focused on whether or not his home was insulated.
When asked why it made her cry, she said: “Because you heard how terrible things are going to be, water shortages, food shortages, and you smiling looked at him and went ‘is your house insulated?’ That is shooting the messenger.
“You think that’s an intelligent question?”
Konstantin, who sat patiently for the majority of the debate, ended by asking what result Tracey was expected if the UK government spent the £1.5 trillion on combating climate change that her group is pushing for.
His question went unanswered.
Former chancellor Mr Osborne’s wedding was awash with orange confetti – the colour that is now synonymous with Just Stop Oil.
Onlookers initially thought the woman was a wellwisher — as she ran from a crowd of villagers and hurled the paper at the ex-Chancellor and his new wife when they appeared after the service for photos.
But she then turned away grinning and was ushered from the scene by a security guard before running off.
Just Stop Oil later tweeted: “You look good in orange @George_Osborne — congratulations to the newlyweds.”
Mr Osborne, 52, had walked down the aisle with his former Treasury adviser Thea Rogers, 40, at a picturesque church in Bruton, Somerset — where he owns a £1.6million house.
Among the guests were his old boss David Cameron and the ex-PM’s wife Samantha, Tory grandee William Hague, another ex-Chancellor Sajid Javid and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove.