Wes Streeting was ripped to shreds by top Sky News presenter Kay Burley this morning after an awkward joke caused painful scenes.
As he toured the media studios this morning, Mr Streeting hoped to answer questions about Labour's plan for the NHS, but last night's news about Diane Abbott clearly turned his plan on its head.
After questioning Ms Abbott, Kay Burley turned to the NHS and asked Mr Streeting: “I'm a bit confused about what you're doing about the backlog because when I look at what Sir Keir Starmer says, he says…
At this point, Mr. Streeting interjected with an awkward joke, accusing Ms. Burley of “spending so much time on Diane Abbott!”
Ms Burley asked him to repeat himself, and after a chilling pause Mr Streeting repeated his joke, adding: “Let's go with Labour's plan.”
A deeply unimpressed Kay Burley replied: “Oh, I see, that was a joke. Sorry, I missed that.”
The clash sparked widespread reactions on social media, with one journalist warning: “Don't mess with Kay Burley!”
Another said: “Yep. And he is one of the better ones.”
Ms Burley also seemed unimpressed when she asked what qualities Natalie Elphicke has that Diane Abbott doesn't.
Mr Streeting insisted: “Honestly, Kay, I don't know. I have based this morning's news reports on the decision that may have been made, I have seen what Diane Abbott has said publicly.”
“I am not involved in this process so I will resist the temptation to comment on it and just say… what I am here to talk about and influence change on is 7.5 million people on NHS waiting lists” .