A Conservative minister faced outright laughter and scorn from the BBC Question Time audience on Thursday night after spectacularly failing to justify his party's record on immigration.
Michael Tomlinson, the Illegal Migration Minister, found himself in the hot seat as host Fiona Bruce presented him with the stark reality: net migration sitting at 685,000 despite thirteen years of Tory promises to bring numbers down.
'It's Come Down This Year' Claim Meets Audience Skepticism
As Mr Tomlinson attempted to defend the government's position, his claim that "it has come down this year" was immediately met with audible disbelief from the studio audience.
The minister's subsequent struggle to provide a coherent explanation prompted widespread laughter, creating one of the most awkward moments in recent political broadcasting.
Fiona Bruce Delivers Brutal Fact-Check
The host didn't let the minister off lightly, immediately countering: "It's come down from three quarters of a million to 685,000." Her deadpan delivery highlighted how insignificant this reduction appeared to both the audience and viewers at home.
Mr Tomlinson's attempt to shift focus to the government's Rwanda scheme and stopping small boats only seemed to amplify the audience's skepticism, with many clearly unconvinced by the deflection from the core issue.
Political Fallout Continues
This public humiliation comes at a sensitive time for the Conservative Party, which has made immigration control a cornerstone of its political identity since the Brexit referendum.
The uncomfortable exchange has since gone viral on social media, with many commentators suggesting it perfectly encapsulates the government's struggle to deliver on one of its key manifesto pledges.
For voters who backed the Conservatives specifically for their immigration promises, this BBC Question Time moment may prove particularly damaging as the party prepares for upcoming electoral challenges.
