Mishal Husain’s 7-word takedown of this Cabinet minister over Partygate was A++

John Plunkett. Updated April 19th, 2022

You might have seen by now that Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis has been roundly mocked today after he compared Boris Johnson breaking his own Covid laws at the height of lockdown to someone getting a parking ticket.

He was at it on Sky News, Good Morning Britain and BBC Breakfast, and it was – you’ll never guess – also the line he took when being interviewed by Mishal Husain on Radio 4’s Today.

It’s fair to say she wasn’t standing for the minister’s weasel words and her 7-word comeback had everyone cheering.

Can lawmakers be lawbreakers – @MishalHusain asks Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis.

"Sadly we have seen over the years, whether it's been Labour or Conservative ministers, having fines for different things, " he replies.https://t.co/vhxGIQj0L6 #R4Today pic.twitter.com/MaOWobL8mB

— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) April 19, 2022

Boom.

And here are just a few of the things people were saying about it.

Brandon Lewis tries to compare the PM's Partygate fine to getting a speeding fine then backs out.

"I'm not in any way trying to equate a speeding ticket with the sacrifices people have made through Covid", he says

Mishal Husain: "You've actually literally just done that."

— Lizzy Buchan (@LizzyBuchan) April 19, 2022

I love @MishalHusain as a broadcaster. Such poise at all times. This morning with @BrandonLewis I imagined a taekwondo style high kick in the word ‘literally’. All hail.

— Shelagh Fogarty (@ShelaghFogarty) April 19, 2022

Not sure we’ll be hearing this false equivalence quite so much from now on. As ever, @MishalHusain was masterful. https://t.co/gRHPdYIoty

— Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) April 19, 2022

Oh spare us Brandon Lewis – have some self respect & stop trying to defend PM. “If someone gets a speeding ticket …I’m not in any way trying to equate a speeding ticket with sacrifices people made.” That’s exactly what you’re doing & trashing decency in public life @BBCr4today

— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) April 19, 2022

Mishal Husain rips Brandon Lewis apart over his parking fine claims.

Brandon Lewis – Labour & Tory ministers have received speeding fines.. I'm not equating speeding fines with the sacrifices people have made during covid

MH – "You've literally just done that"#r4today pic.twitter.com/syGI7HDR68

— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) April 19, 2022

Across the UK good people are shouting at the Today Programme R4 as Brandon Lewis MP discredits and debases himself by protecting Boris Johnson. Tory MPs should realise this is no longer just about Johnson's fate, but about their own credibility with the people who elect them.

— Hywel Williams AS/MP (@HywelPlaidCymru) April 19, 2022

That Brandon Lewis interview on #r4today in full :
– the PM did nothing wrong but apologises fulsomely;
– he fully accepts the mistaken decision of the police;
– it's just like being fined for speeding, though he is not in any way comparing the two;
– there's a war in Ukraine.

— Robert Saunders (@redhistorian) April 19, 2022

Source Twitter @BBCr4today