The BBC has apologised to viewers after the start of Liz Truss’s first live TV interview since the mini-budget was marred by “technical glitches”. The interruption on BBC One’s flagship political programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, led to online quips about potential interference, while others joked that it was preparation for energy blackouts to come. The BBC blamed the technical issues on its live feed from the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, where the interview was taking place. The feed began cutting out in the first few minutes of the show as Kuenssberg was preparing to introduce Truss. Then, just as the interview was about to begin, screens went blank for more than 30 seconds, followed by 30 seconds of the BBC musical news sting, which is usually played only at the start of programmes. The feed was restored with Truss in mid-sentence talking about people facing energy bills of up to £6,000 when she came to office. At the end of the interview, Kuenssberg told viewers: “Thanks for sticking with us during some technical glitches during that interview. Apologies for that.” Commentators had been eagerly awaiting what Truss would have to say after turmoil in the markets, a dive in the Conservative’s poll ratings, and backbench anger at the prime minister’s leadership. During the blackout, many joked about possible foul play. Robert Hutton, the parliamentary sketch writer for the Critic, tweeted: “Have rebel Tory MPs taken an axe to the line from Birmingham?”
Sam Freedman, a senior fellow at the Institute for Government and a former civil servant, asked if Truss’s Spads were trying to cut the feed on the show.
Stefan Stern, author and former director of the High Pay Centre, also chimed in with a joke.
Jacqui Smith, the former Labour home secretary turned broadcaster, expressed her frustration at the BBC.
But Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, jokingly suggested it could help viewers prepare for possible energy blackouts to come.
The glitch in Sunday’s show came after the Truss took part in a round of eight difficult BBC regional radio interviews on Thursday. The interviews were conducted without a hitch, but Truss’s hesitant answers were widely criticised. In a statement, the BBC said: “There was a technical glitch during the programme, which was quickly resolved.”