David Dimbleby was given a 30-second warning by Victoria Derbyshire during Monday's episode of Newsnight, prompting viewer backlash. The BBC legend appeared as a guest on the programme and was asked why the UK has seen seven prime ministers in the last decade. As he began to answer, Derbyshire cut in: "We've only got 30 seconds left."
Dimbleby's rushed response
"I have no idea," Dimbleby said, reflecting on the state of the government. He added: "I think [Andy] Burnham has started well. The problems [show] no change from what they've been [...] since 2008. But I think he's started well. I think communication is the first rule of a prime minister who can appeal and his predecessor couldn't communicate, and that was the cause of his downfall in my view."
Viewers react
One viewer, Pat Murphy, tweeted: "Not enough time given to DD last night. Too many guests on the sofa for the previous item. Now that the shackles are off Dimbleby, his plain speaking & massive experience are worth more than a few minutes at the end of the programme." Several others echoed the sentiment. One commented: "I would like to see him interviewed for the full half hour. He was brilliant again last night." Another said: "Cutting Newsnight to 30 minutes was always ridiculous and this underlines it." A third noted: "They should have just given him the whole programme. It was obvious Victoria felt she didn't have enough time and wanted longer." A fourth added: "Newsnight really is a poor excuse for a programme these days. Not enough time for meaningful discussions and they keep wheeling the same people out with their tired political opinions."
