Good Morning Britain host abruptly exits as Yvette Cooper appears on ITV show
Kate Garraway was forced to interview Home Secretary Yvette Cooper alone on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday as her co-host made an abrupt exit
Yvette Cooper on Good Morning Britain
(Image: ITV)
A Good Morning Britain presenter was notably absent as Home Secretary Yvette Cooper joined the programme on Tuesday. Ed Balls was nowhere to be seen when the ITV morning show returned from a break, leaving his co-host Kate Garraway to handle the interview solo.
TV host Kate didn't miss a beat as she launched into the discussion, sidestepping any mention of her missing colleague.
She said: "Now, the first illegal migrants that will be returned to France under the 'one in, one out' deal are set to be detained within days, but critics say it will barely scratch the surface when 25,000 people have crossed the Channel so far this year."
She continued: "The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, joins us now. Can you just clear up when this is coming in? I think the Home Office told us yesterday it was today, but I believe on another broadcaster, you said it was actually tomorrow. Can we just clarify that quickly, first of all?"
Kate Garraway was forced to do the interview alone
(Image: ITV)
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Yvette confirmed that Kate's information was accurate, stating that the treaty is being laid today and the immigration rules supporting it, reports the Express.
"That means, in practice, they come into force tomorrow and that means that we can start detaining people within a matter of days," Yvette explained.
However, Kate highlighted that the figures are far from promising, with a mere 50 individuals per week being returned. She remarked: "It is a proverbial drop in the ocean and no deterrent at all."
Yvette explained that the intention is for the numbers to start modestly and then increase, as this is "the nature of it being a new deal". Yet Kate was dissatisfied with this response, interrupting to seek further clarification.
She probed: "Just for clarity on the numbers, when you say start lower, do you mean lower than 50 and build to 50? Or do you mean start at 50 and build to something more significant?"
The politician hesitated and evaded a direct answer, stating: "Erm... start lower than where they will eventually end up. We have not set any numbers."
Kate couldn't help but chuckle at the vague reply, commenting: "That sounds like a politician's answer!"
Ed Balls exited the ITV show before Yvette's interview
Ed's absence during the interview with Yvette, to whom he is married, follows previous criticism for conducting interviews with his wife on air. Viewers of Good Morning Britain had expressed concerns about potential bias during such segments.
Following the interview, the programme transitioned to a break, after which Ed returned to his regular presenting role. Kate addressed his earlier departure by saying: "Ed, of course, removed himself during our interview with the Home Secretary because he is married to her."
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Viewers at home didn't miss the opportunity to make light of the situation. One viewer quipped on X/Twitter: "Ed's popped off for a cuppa to make it look like he's not Yvette's husband #gmb."
Another viewer quipped: "Ed you can come from under the desk now #gmb," while a third commented: " #GMB lovely cosy interview with Ed's wife the Home Secretary this morning. Well done Kate, they're probably having dinner together tonight."
Good Morning Britain airs on weekdays at 6am on ITV1
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