Nadine Dorries irked some viewers on TalkTV with her defence of Boris Johnson as the former culture secretary covered for Piers Morgan.
The Conservative MP clashed with co-host and former Evening Standard editor Emily Sheffield over the issue of the former prime minister’s legitimacy for office as Rishi Sunak was set to step into Number 10.
Ms Sheffield said on Monday evening’s broadcast of Mr Johnson: “There is no denying at a time when his government called for him to resign… there were problems.”
As the pair quarrelled about partygate, Ms Dorries lobbied to “get a word in”, before she continued: “What Boris Johnson knew about partygate, Rishi knew. They were working in the same buildings day and night with the same people. They were doing exactly the same things. Why do you think he is more guilty?”
Ms Sheffield said Mr Johnson was “deeply unpopular” before the conversation moved on. Ms Dorries was promoted under the former prime minister to the front bench and has loyally defended her former boss in recent weeks, backing him to run again and even calling for his pledges to be honoured by Liz Truss.
However, with regular host Morgan — who is currently on holiday — unafraid to criticise Mr Johnson, viewers of TalkTV were miffed to hear the former PM being defended to the hilt.
On Twitter, @bau_ming said: “Why is this woman running your show? Nadine Dorries!!! Who worships Bo Jo and wants revenge!!!”
Another user @stgriswalds said: “@piersmorganwhoever the f*** thought having @NadineDorries as co-presenter on your show was a good idea needs a boot up the backside — Emily was cringing."
@williamsnick73 added: “I’m a big fan of TalkTV but the sight of Nadine Dorries was too much. I turned over immediately."
Mr Morgan is away for this next week but apparently still tuning into politics as he tweeted his support for Mr Sunak. “Perfect speech by Sunak. Brief, no frills, no bulls**t, no Latin phrases… and to the point,” he wrote, with a slight jibe towards Mr Johnson and his fondness for extravagant language.
Ms Dorries said: “We need to put this to bed. He [Mr Johnson] had 102 signatures, the support was there for him to go on the ballot today.
“It was his decision not to as a result of conversations.”
