Reform MP Robert Jenrick brands GMB interview a waste of time in awkward hot mic moment

Reform UK's shadow chancellor Robert Jenrick described an interview as a 'waste of time' today in an awkward hot mic moment after being grilled by Susanna Reid.

The former Conservative politician was caught making the comment on ITV's Good Morning Britain after his appearance had ended but his microphone was still live.

He had been discussing the early release of prisoners and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting's joke about the scheme, which was also picked up by a microphone.

Mr Jenrick was also asked towards the end of the interview about claims police have been looking at a £37,500 donation made to his Tory leadership campaign in 2024.

He insisted he had not been contacted by the Metropolitan Police and therefore believed there was no investigation, which presenter Ed Balls said was 'very clear'.

Concluding the interview, Mr Balls added: 'Thank you very much indeed for joining us this morning.' Mr Jenrick then said 'thank you' and the camera on him was cut.

But as Ms Reid introduced a different story coming up about the dangers of drinking contaminated alcohol, Mr Jenrick was heard saying: 'Well, that was a waste of time.'

Both presenters paused as the camera cut back to them, and Mr Balls said: 'Oh dear. I think it wasn't a waste of time. I think Robert Jenrick gave us very clear answers.

'And on the police investigation, it's not a waste of time for him to make clear that he believes there is no police investigation. I mean it was good he came on the programme.' Ms Reid added: 'And we're very grateful for his time.'

Following the exchange at about 7.35am, Good Morning Britain shared a video of the exchange on their X feed, before it was deleted – then reuploaded later on.

Responding to the first video upload, Mr Jenrick tweeted: 'Yes, we've got Ed's useless mates back in government, people are struggling and he can't be bothered to ask how Reform would do things differently.

'For the record: Reform will cut your energy bills by £200 by cutting VAT and by removing green levies.'

At the start of his interview, Mr Jenrick spoke about early prisoner releases, after Debbie Adlam, the mother of police officer Andrew Harper said it feels like an 'insult' that two of her son's killers may be eligible under the scheme.

PC Harper was 28 when he sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019.

Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were passengers in the car and both 17 years old at the time, were handed 13 years in custody for manslaughter after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2020. Both men might now be eligible to be released from prison halfway through their sentences.

Speaking about the scheme, Mr Jenrick said: 'I think it's an absolute disgrace that we're in this situation as a country due to failure after failure by the last Conservative government and now by this Labour one.'

Ms Reid asked if the former Tory MP felt a 'sense of shame', given he was a government minister when the early release policies were discussed.

But Mr Jenrick told Ms Reid: 'I wouldn't absolve this government of responsibility as you seem to be doing.'

Ms Reid then hit back, furiously saying: 'Since when did I absolve... Sorry, Mr Jenrick, when did I absolve this government of… no, but don't make a criticism of me that is untrue. When have I absolved this government of responsibility?'

Mr Jenrick replied: 'Because most of this conversation has been about the past rather than the present.'

Ms Reid went on: 'Because you are part of the past government, that's why. I interview people all the time about this early release scheme, and I would say that our viewers are extremely critical of this scheme.

'What I'm asking you is the responsibility of the previous government, which has got us here and which you were a part.' She added: 'Don't make a false accusation against me.'

Mr Jenrick also discussed Mr Streeting's comments about the early release of prisoners.

Mr Streeting, who returned to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's new-look Cabinet on Monday, made the remarks in a conversation with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and the new Justice Secretary Alex Norris yesterday.

In the overheard comments first published by Guido Fawkes, Mr Streeting suggested to Ms Mahmood that Mr Norris was 'the enemy now' and 'wants to let them all out'.

In response to the remarks, Mr Jenrick said: 'Imagine if you were the victim of one of these appalling crimes, like Debbie, who had to see her son – a brave, highly admired police officer – killed in this appalling manner, watching that video and thinking these are the people who are supposedly keeping our country safe, and they are there literally laughing about this issue.

'I mean that tells you all you need to know, these are not serious people, they are not really taking their duties seriously, they think this is all just a big joke. But it's a joke on the British people and the victims of these appalling crimes.'

Mr Streeting later said on X that the remark was referencing a joke shared between former Conservative prime minister Theresa May and ex-chancellor and home secretary Kenneth Clarke, insisting there was 'no ill intent behind this ribbing of the new Justice Secretary'.

But he added: 'I appreciate these are very serious issues and am sorry for any offence inadvertently caused by this moment of levity.'

Ms Mahmood also said there was 'no ill intent' about the 'ribbing' of Mr Norris.

She wrote: 'I appreciate this is an extremely serious issue and do not want anyone to mistake this moment of levity for a lack of serious intent.'

Under the new Sentencing Act, set to come into force in September, around 6,000 criminals are set to be released under the early prison release scheme.