Andrew Neil’s interviews have become a staple of any UK election cycle.
The BBC veteran is hailed by both the left and right for his interview technique, which rarely leaves any stone left unturned.
This election cycle, we saw Neil become the first interviewer to make Nicola Sturgeon appear like a fish out of water, when he challenged Scotland’s First Minister on her NHS record.
Then it was Jeremy Corbyn’s turn. Throughout his grilling, Corbyn struggled to explain his spending plans and was criticised for refusing to apologise to the Jewish community for Labour’s handling of antisemitism accusations.
The next interviews are scheduled to feature Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage.
But, surprise, surprise, there’s one person missing!
The BBC confirmed on Twitter that Boris Johnson has not yet confirmed a time for his interview with Neil.
Afterwards, reports circulated that Johnson might skip the interview altogether. This comes after Channel 4 said Johnson pulled out of a scheduled leaders’ debate with Jeremy Corbyn.
Tory source says better take the hit for 🐥than take the risk of @afneil. Happy Days! https://t.co/Xw7aWICrQp— Adam Boulton (@Adam Boulton) 1574876429
Naturally, people are furious that the prime minister is avoiding scrutiny.
People criticised the BBC and Johnson for allowing a situation where the PM can drop out at the last minute.
If Boris Johnson isn’t prepared to go on TV and be asked proper grownup questions by a proper grownup interviewer f… https://t.co/xZtrfd4hoH— Armando Iannucci (@Armando Iannucci) 1574929822
There would be huge ratings in a half-hour show where Andrew Neil goes through the questions he WOULD have asked Bo… https://t.co/OnjCsVNw1i— Richard Osman (@Richard Osman) 1574873409
Unforgivable of both the BBC, which should’ve nailed him down, and a cowardly Johnson if this interview doesn’t hap… https://t.co/HBxC0esXIu— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin Maguire) 1574867975
If Johnson refuses a serious interview we will have to reassess Corbyn's efforts. At least he dared to show up.— Philip Collins (@Philip Collins) 1574932957
Labour source tells me BBC informed them Boris Johnson would do an Andrew Neil interview next week. Turns out no… https://t.co/kaKSD49OMa— Theo Usherwood (@Theo Usherwood) 1574871136
So Corbyn gets the full Andrew Neil treatment and Johnson gets the “he’s just like you he eats scones” fluff vids h… https://t.co/nXjkbUUovy— James Felton (@James Felton) 1574888772
If Johnson doesn’t conduct an interview with Neil the BBC has to empty chair him for an hour at prime time. The PM… https://t.co/VUMk3V7cdP— Jon Worth (@Jon Worth) 1574927150
Joking aside, can you imagine if Corbyn had ducked Andrew Neil? He’d have rightly been slaughtered for it. Boris Jo… https://t.co/Im96UIEKYK— (((Dan Hodges))) (@(((Dan Hodges)))) 1574877605
this is so wrong https://t.co/uollHazdJ6— Hannah Jane Parkinson (@Hannah Jane Parkinson) 1574873741
The BBC and Boris Johnson can’t find a time for him to be grilled by Andrew Neil. And yet they can find time in th… https://t.co/HbRIZKzXLK— Mark Ferguson (@Mark Ferguson) 1574893460
So, Johnson bottled out of the C4 debate this past Sunday, he’s bottled today’s climate change leadership debate, w… https://t.co/SqG2lUkoPl— Rachael Swindon (@Rachael Swindon) 1574924296