LAURA Kuenssberg has cancelled her interview with Boris Johnson after sending him the briefing notes “by mistake”.
The Scottish journalist and presenter admitted the blunder on Wednesday evening, saying that “it’s not right for the interview to go ahead”.
The interview with Johnson was originally set to air on Thursday evening.
In a post on Twitter/X, Kuenssberg wrote: “While prepping to interview Boris Johnson tomorrow, by mistake I sent our briefing notes to him in a message meant for my team.
While prepping to interview Boris Johnson tomorrow, 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. It’s very frustrating, and there’s no point pretending it’s anything other than…
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) October 2, 2024
“That obviously means it’s not right for the interview to go ahead.”
She continued: “It’s very frustrating, and there’s no point pretending it’s anything other than embarrassing and disappointing, as there are plenty of important questions to be asked.
READ MORE: Labour warned cuts plans are 'Liz Truss levels of economic vandalism'
“But red faces aside, honesty is the best policy. See you on Sunday."
The interview with Kuenssberg was set to be Johnson’s first serious grilling about his time in Downing Street since his departure.
On Wednesday evening, A BBC spokesperson said: "Tomorrow’s interview with Boris Johnson won’t be going ahead.
“As Laura has explained, interview briefing notes meant for colleagues were inadvertently shared with him. This makes an interview tomorrow untenable.
“Under the circumstances, both the BBC and Mr Johnson’s team have agreed this is the best way forward."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel