Environment Secretary Angela Eagle has been branded “the lesser of two Eagles” on social media after her Times Radio interview was widely described as a “car crash.”
Appearing with Stig Abell to discuss a new water regulation policy, Eagle faced questions about the proposed regional water councils and a light-hearted exchange about smoky bacon crisps that turned tense.
Interview sparks online backlash
One listener wrote: “A car crash interview from Angela Eagle, 'the lesser of two Eagles'.” Another criticised the announcement of eight new regional water councils, saying the Environment Secretary could not explain what powers they would have, which areas each would cover, who would lead them, how membership would be selected, when they would be established, or who they would answer to.
“Another shambolic announcement from a Government which loves a headline, but has zero detail to back it up,” the comment added.
Others were harsher still. One social media user said: “The problem with @angelaeagle isn't that she's ignorant and stupid - she's a Labour MP and they all are. It's that she's spiteful and vindictive - a genuinely unpleasant person.”
Times Radio exchange over crisps
The fiery moment came when Abell raised the possibility of the UK signing up to a new Brussels directive banning meat descriptions on vegetarian food, such as smoky bacon crisps and chicken pot noodles.
Abell asked: “Would you be happy if closer realignment with the EU meant the banning of smoky bacon crisps or the banning of the labelling of smoky bacon crisps?”
Eagle responded: “Oh Stig, I mean really we’ve had EU straight bananas and now we’re talking about banning smoky bacon crisps. I think you should get a life.”
She added that the issue was about ensuring the UK can do business with its closest neighbours, citing potential economic growth from allowing farmers and food producers to export to Europe again without the uncertainty, costs and frictions brought by Brexit.
