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Richard Madeley wasn’t in the good books of Good Morning Britain viewers following his interview with Chris Packham.
The broadcaster, 67, was interviewing the naturalist, 62, about climate change, specifically Just Stop Oil and the controversial group’s methods of activism.
Over the weekend, they crashed both BBC Proms and the set of The Last Leg, proceeding to disrupt traffic in London on Monday morning.
Speaking to Chris ahead of his new documentary, Richard asked whether Just Stop Oil were aiming their protests ‘at the right target’.
‘Are these protests aimed at the right target, Chris? Because, in this country, we’ve pretty much eliminated coalfired energy from our energy supply mix, we’re investing squillions in windpower – if Labour win the next election, they’re gonna be spending even more on windfarms.
‘Our CO2 emissions, by general agreement, are now per capita at the lowest in the UK since the mid-1850s. But China, is burning more and more coal and next year, China will burn more coal to produce power than every other country in the world put together,’ Richard began.
Richard Madeley was called a ‘hypocrite’ by viewers (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
‘Why isn’t Just Stop Oil, instead of in a sense preaching to the converted, because we get it, why aren’t they demonstrating outside the Chinese embassy?’, he asked.
Responding, Chris said: ‘Two points there. Firstly, I think you’re wrong, with respect, about the achievements we’re seeing in the UK. The climate change committee has said we’re not meeting any of our targets.
‘We’re talking about opening a new coal mine in Cumbria and we’re still granting licenses to explore for more oil and gas.’
He continued: ‘Second point, valid question: Are they targeting the right people? And that’s a question that I’m asking them for a forthcoming documentary that I’m making for Channel 4.
‘If the tactics aren’t working, do we need to change the tactics?’
Chris told Richard he is ‘right’ and it’s a ‘valid question that any protesters should be constantly asking themselves.’
Chris Packham clashed with Richard over Just Stop Oil (Picture: BBC/Richard Ansett)
Richard argued that the group target the wrong people with their protests (Picture: Vuk Valcic/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)
GMB was very climate-change-heavy this morning, with viewers quick to blast the hosts as ‘hypocritical’ for interrogating Chris but later discussing the heatwave in Sicily and soaring temperatures in the UK this summer.
‘Love the way #GMB take their time telling Chris Packham how pointless the Just Stop Oil protests are and then jump straight into a piece on how record temperatures and wild fires are causing chaos and death across the globe. Maybe direct the criticism elsewhere, Richard & Susanna’, one person tweeted.
‘Madeley speaking to Chris Packham with utter contempt for Just Stop Oil, then cheerily passing over to burning Sicily yet clearly not actually making the connection’, blasted another.
Others slated Richard’s ‘awful’ interviewing technique while some even switched off altogether.
‘I don’t know how @susannareid100 and @RichardM56 can sit on @gmb wagging their fingers at Chris Packham and Just Stop Oil on a day like today. It’s beyond parody’, one individual tweeted, alongside a screenshot of an article containing extreme heatwave warnings.
Viewers also praised TV presenter and nature expert Chris for his own attitude during his interview.
‘Amazing response from Chris Packham and important to note how climate protests actually work from the evidence he has collected’, one viewer tweeted.
‘Don’t you just love smug, overpaid presenters who think that they do a job that nobody else could do. Well said Chris Packham’, said another.
Another praised: ‘Spot on @ChrisGPackham as ever. This report on @GMB alongside headline news story about the devastating heat wave, but apparently its climate protesters who have to be dealt with’.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
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Richard Madeley was called a ‘hypocrite’ by viewers
