We all make mistakes. However, some have got much more serious consequences than others. For example, BBC interviewer Laura Kuenssberg, who has previously been accused of baised reporting, recently fessed up to making an honest mistake. One that sadly led to her cancelling an interview she had planned with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Here's what you should know.
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Laura Kuenssberg had to cancel her Boris Johnson interview
Laura Kuenssberg is the presenter of the BBC's flagship Sunday political interview. It was in that context that she was supposed to interview the former Prime Minister of Great Britain, Boris Johnson, on Sunday 6 October 2024. However, as she has explained on her own X account, Laura Kuenssberg accidentally sent the politician her entire notes, including all the questions she was planning on asking him during the interview. She wrote:
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.
The presenter also opened up about feeling frustrated at her mistake, but nothing could be done. She went on:
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. But red faces aside, honesty is the best policy. See you on Sunday.
The presenter has chosen to own her mistake, and to honestly tell her followers what happened, which was no piece of cake. Indeed, people were quick to react online, accusing the presenter of having sent her notes on purpose to get out of an awkward interview. Among thousands of hurtful comments, British writer Simon Scarrow wrote:
Well, that's one way for you and the BBC to get out of an ill-advised obligation that would have shamed you. It would have been more honest for you to admit that Johnson is toxic and the BBC is scared of damaging its reputation. Nice try, Laura.
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
The former PM is promoting his new tell-all memoir
Boris Johnson was supposed to be interviewed by the BBC to promote his new memoir, Unleashed, which will come out next week.
While the book hasn't been published yet,his revelations have already got people talking. Excerpts have been published in the press, and it seems the former Prime Minister has got a lot to say about his time on Downing Street. In this new book, he mentions the Covid-19 pandemic, the Queen's health, as well as his former colleagues in the government. For those acquainted with the story of Julius Caesar, Mr. Johnson compares himself to the fallen emperor, and compares his successor, Rishi Sunak, to Brutus. Et tu Brute?
Boris Johnson also talks in length about the late Queen's state of health when he was still the Prime Minister. He claims she suffered from bone cancer before she passed away in September 2022. He wrote:
I had known for a year or more that she had a form of bone cancer, and her doctors were worried that at any time she could enter a sharp decline.
Queen Elizabeth II's official cause of death has been listed as 'old age' on official documents and the Royal Family has not issued anything stating otherwise.
Read more:
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Sources used:
X
The Independent: Laura Kuenssberg forced to cancel Boris Johnson interview after accidentally sending him notes
CNN: Boris Johnson claims in memoir Queen Elizabeth II had bone cancer
