Carol Vorderman has gone to war with Laura Kuenssberg and demanded the BBC politics presenter is replaced by Victoria Derbyshire after she sparked fury with her ‘opinionated’ and ‘rude’ interview with Ed Davey.
Kuenssberg is facing a backlash and has been accused of ‘bias’ after her grilling of the Lib Dem leader over the weekend, with people on social media branding her introduction of the MP as ‘disgraceful’.
And now Countdown star Vorderman has waded into the row and hinted that Kuenssberg should be swapped out with Newsnight host Derbyshire, 55 – as she branded the 47-year-old’s introduction of Sir Ed ‘quite extraordinary’.
Opening her interview, Kuenssberg said: ‘This election made history for all sorts of reasons, and when you put the votes together, the smaller parties got their highest ever share of the votes.
‘Maybe it was the bungee jumping, or maybe given that the Liberal Democrats want to change the voting system, ironically perhaps they just learned how to play it better by ruthlessly targeting seats where the Conservatives had held them.’
As a video showing Mr Davey celebrating his election success, Kuenssberg continued: ‘Well there he is, Ed Davey, the happiest man in Britain, he looked like there, celebrating winning more than 70 seats, and he joins us this morning from south west London.
‘Ed Davey, congratulations, I suppose, on your more than 70 seats.’
Laura Kuenssberg (left) is facing a backlash over her ‘rude’ introduction of Sir Ed Davey during her interview with him on Sunday
She was interviewing Sir Ed after his party secured more than 70 MPs in last week’s election
Carol Vorderman has called on BBC bosses to replace Kuenssberg with Victoria Derbyshire amid a backlash online over the interview
Vorderman issued her reaction to the comments in a series of posts on X over the weekend
However, it was the veteran political journalist’s use of the phrase ‘I suppose’ in the introduction which sparked outrage online – with many demanding the BBC sacked Kuenssberg.
Joining the backlash, former Countdown star Vorderman, 63, appeared to call on the BBC to drop Kuenssberg from her political show and replace her with veteran presenter, Victoria Derbyshire.
‘Time for #bbclaurak to become #bbcVictoriaD don’t you think? @vicderbyshire Quite extraordinary,’ she wrote on X, adding: ‘Vic D is exceptional and gives them all a hard time if that is what’s needed. She knows her detail and cuts through with any bias. BBC is lucky to have her.’
Others on social media lashed out at how Kuenssberg delivered her introduction of the Lib Dem leader.
‘Is it just me or is it time that Laura Kuenssberg was dropped? She’s far too opinionated and often downright rude,’ wrote one user, while another said: ‘When she said, ‘Congratulations, I suppose’ I physically jumped. The BBC needs to look closely at her performance. She is not employed to put her own opinion forward.’
Another added: ‘Laura Kuenssberg is often criticised, often unfairly, for her perceived partisanship. But, then this – coming out with such ungracious & begrudging acknowledgement of Ed Davey’s election success.’
While a fourth wrote: ‘Absolutely disgraceful from #LauraKuenssberg … she’s practically snarling as she says ‘Ed Davey, congratulations -I suppose’ … get rid of her @BBCPolitics.’
People on social media have called for Kuenssberg to be replaced by Victoria Derbyshire (pictured)
Kuenssberg (left) is facing a backlash over her ‘rude’ introduction of Sir Ed Davey during her interview with him on Sunday
During the interview, Kuenssberg made reference to some of the bizarre election photo opportunities taken by Sir Ed, which included bungee jumping and paddle boarding
The Lib Dem leader has previously been interviewed by Victoria Derbyshire (both are pictured in September 2023)
‘Laura Kuenssberg thinks belittling someone who brought a smile to our faces during this election makes her clever! It doesn’t,’ tweeted another viewer.
‘She is ignorant and is totally lacking integrity. Her attitude says far more about her than it does about Ed Davey who has faced and overcome far more.’
‘Laura Kuenssberg’s diabolic introduction to her interview with Ed Davey. No spoilers. Wait until the end. It’s worth it,’ wrote author @edwinhayward alongside a clip of the exchange.
In the video, Sir Ed appeared unfazed by the remarks during his interview with Kuenssberg
When approached by the MailOnline about the backlash against Kuenssberg, the BBC declined to comment.
MailOnline has approached Kuenssberg for comment.
Arch-cheerleader Vorderman was among the smug Left-wing luvvies to gloat about the Tories’ crushing election defeat last week.
Arch-cheerleader Carol Vorderman led celebrations on social media alongside a slew of celebrities who all wanted their moment in the limelight after Labour’s landslide.
She has become well-known for her anti-Tory tirades on social media – having previously clashed with former veterans Minister Johnny Mercer.
And former Countdown human calculator Vorderman exploded into a vicious tirade against the Tories on Channel 4 before shuffling to social media to show off her glee.
Following the results of the bombshell exit poll, Vorderman bellowed ‘I think we should get the party started’, as she appeared on Channel 4’s TV election coverage.
She told Channel 4: ‘Everybody out there is thinking: no more of the lies, the deceit, the corruption.’
Posting to X, formerly Twitter , the former Countdown numbers guru shared a video captioned: ‘POV: The Labour Party have just won a landslide in the election’
Carol Vorderman bellowed ‘I think we should get the party started’, as she appeared on Channel 4 ‘s TV election coverage
The former Countdown presenter (pictured) has become well-known for her anti-Tory tirades on social media and did not let up this evening
Posting on X on Friday morning, she added: ‘Johnny Mercer gone. Jacob Rees Mogg gone. Gillian Keegan gone. Tories we don’t have to endure anymore. Here’s to a new chapter. You are all AMAZING.’
Vorderman also posted a mocking video captioned: ‘POV [point of view]: The Labour Party have just won a landslide in the election.’
Bursting out of a door marked Dressing Room, Vorderman mouthed to a voiceover: ‘Oh my God, ok it’s happening. Everyone stay calm.’
Bumping into two women carrying bundles of paper she was met by Guardian columnist Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, who continued: ‘Everyone stay calm. Stay [bleep] calm!’
But Vorderman’s outbursts against the Tories have previously led to her being binned by the BBC over her posts on social media.
The famed numbers guru was told to leave her show on BBC Radio Wales for breaching the broadcasters new social media guidance.
She had been at the station for five years but said she was ‘not prepared to stop’ venting her ‘strong beliefs’ on Twitter and Instagram.
The presenter added: ‘Consequently I have now breached the new guidelines and BBC Wales management have decided I must leave. We each must make our decisions.’
Ms Vorderman had been accused of ‘flagrantly breaching’ the BBC’s impartiality rules with her anti-Tory outbursts, which have included calling ministers ‘a lying bunch of greedy, corrupt, destructive, hateful, divisive, gaslighting crooks’.
The BBC brought in new social media rules for its presenters following outrage earlier this year over Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker’s tweet which comparing the Government’s Rwanda policy to Nazi Germany.
These prevent high-profile stars from attacking political parties and individual politicians as well as weighing into controversial issues before elections or referendums. The rules apply when their show is on air and in a two-week window before and after.
