Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid reported live from Downing Street on Tuesday as she grilled Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Ahead of the interview, fellow ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly joked: "I'm surprised she's managed to coax him out of the fridge". Ranvir Singh said she and her co-hosts were "like a coiled spring" awaiting the Prime Minster's comments.
While the interview was due to begin at 8.15am, its late start prompted viewers to poke fun at Mr Johnson. Taking to Twitter, Roddy McDougall said: "Has he bailed or has the link gone down?"
READ MORE: Boris Johnson doesn't know who Lorraine Kelly is
Janis Henderson said: "He is late, nothing new there". Paul Prescott said: "Boris is even late for a meeting in his own house", while David Banner said: "Susanna's been ghosted lol".
At 8.30am, Richard Madeley said: "Coming up, we are really going to do this... Boris is running a little bit late. After the break, Boris Johnson will give his first [GMB] interview in five years".
When the interview finally began, Boris Johnson was asked if he was honest. The Prime Minister replied that yes, he is an honest man.
Later, Susanna said: "The biggest issue for people right now is how they can possibly afford to pay their bills. Energy bills are rising, petrol costs are rising, tax is rising, food bank use is rising. The number of people in poverty is rising."
The Prime Minister initially said the government is "doing everything we can to help with the pressures on family budgets", but when Susanna pushed him on this and asked why he wasn't imposing a windfall tax on the energy companies, he eventually admitted the government could be doing more.
Mr Johnson said: "This country is in an insane position taking electricity from France and elsewhere because we haven't done enough to invest in our own security of supply." Susanna quickly interjected with: "So let the energy companies invest, and at the same time why don't you impose a windfall tax?
"In order to help people right now who are paying energy bills gone up hundreds to be told we need to leave energy companies invest, that's their job. Your job is to help people pay their bills".
Mr Johnson then listed the support measures that have been put in place, including an energy 'discount' that will have to be repaid, and a £150 council tax rebate available to some households.
Susanna said: "But £150 doesn't touch the sides, and isn't available for everybody. You're not doing everything you can".
Boris Johnson replied: "There is more that we can do but the crucial thing is to make sure we deal with the crisis over the medium and long term". Susanna said: "So you're not being honest, you're not doing everything you can".
The Prime Minister simply said: "We're doing a huge amount".
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV and the ITV Hub
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