Richard Madeley has sparked debate after criticising a heckler who interrupted Rishi Sunak's announcement of a snap general election. The Good Morning Britain host told co-presenter Susanna Reid that the nation had the right to hear the Prime Minister's address without disruption.
On Wednesday, Sunak appeared outside Downing Street to confirm the election would take place on July 4. During his statement, activist Steve Bray played D:Ream's 'Things Can Only Get Better' at high volume in an attempt to drown out the PM's words.
Madeley, 68, argued that while he supports free speech, such disruptions should be curtailed during important national addresses. Reid suggested security should have anticipated the protest, but noted that police may not have been able to remove the activist under protest laws.
Viewers were divided on social media. Some praised Bray as a 'legend', while others agreed with Madeley, calling the disruption undemocratic. Bray later admitted his amplifiers were ruined by rain, but said they 'lasted for the moment that mattered'.
