“THIS IS A TRAINWRECK…” Viewers were left stunned as Good Morning Britain descended into near-chaos during a fiery showdown between Susanna Reid and Douglas Alexander.

Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid was seen locking horns with Secretary of State Douglas Alexander in a furious TV grilling that saw the MP begging ‘will you let me answer’ as the ITV host spoke over him.

Susanna, 55, was joined by Ed Balls on the ITV series on Monday, where talk soon turned to Prime Minister Keir Starmer facing the House of Commons in a showdown over the Mandelson scandal.

Sir Keir is due to make a statement to MPs that he was unaware that Peter Mandelson failed security vetting before becoming British Ambassador to the United States in 2025.

The Prime Minister is expected to blame the Foreign Office amid calls for him to resign, with a series of MPs, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch taking to GMB to react to the upcoming statement.

Secretary of State Douglas Alexander was among the guests who joined Susanna and Ed live via video link on the ITV show – where he was seen being grilled by the pair.

Susanna was seen asking the MP if he thought viewers ‘are stupid’ as he struggled to answer the questions in between her interjections, leaving him begging: ‘If you will let me answer the question?’

Ed began: ‘You were Cabinet minister for many years, I was a Cabinet minister for many years, with a job as sensitive as this, our most important international ambassador, is there any way that you would agree to and announce the appointment of Peter Mandelson to that job before you had seen the proper security vetting?’

Douglas responded: ‘Firstly, it’s not a small matter than exactly as you say, Olly Robins and his friends and allies are in complete agreement with the Prime Minister that the information he had in his possession from the UK vetting agency was not [provided].

‘That really matters because until Friday, Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition, alleged categorically that the Prime Minister had knowingly misled parliament and had lied to the people of the UK…’

He went on to hit out against the claims made by the Conservative leader, and said he expected Starmer to ‘refute’ the claims that had so far been made.

‘The terms of how was this appointment made, we inherited a system when we came into office in July 2024 whereby political appointments to the ambassador service could be made ahead of deep vetting had been undertaken,’ he added.

‘We have already changed that system… Logically and rightly vetting should precede appointment but that was not the system at the time.’

He was soon interrupted by Ed, who further pressed for more details about the appointment of Mandelson into the role, with Douglas continuing: ‘The deep vetting process which looks at everyone’s financial arrangements, personal relationships, it’s a highly intrusive process.

‘Of course there were issues flagged, but the reason there is a separate process by security officials is to look at exactly the issues that can be turned up by the developed vetting process.’

As he went on speaking, Susanna then asked: ‘OK, go back to the point that you ahve both agreed on, you say that both the Prime Minister says he wasn’t told and that Olly Robins said he didn’t tell.

‘However, Kemi Badenoch who has just been on this programme said, “How come then, in February this year after the release of more Epstein files, Keir Starmer told MPs there was a due diligence exercise and then vetting by the security services, and confirmed vetting did cover Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, if he didn’t know the outcome of the vetting?’.’

The Secretary of State went on to explain that the PM had been ‘in touch regularly’ with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development office who ‘oversee the process’, but hit out they had ‘been assured’ that it had been ‘approved’.

Interrupting him mid sentence, Susanna asked back: ‘So someone lied then?’ to which Douglas went on: ‘Susanna, you ask exactly the right question, that’s the issue in dispute because clearly Olly Robbins was of the view that he could not and should not share that information with the Prime Minister.’

But Susanna interrupted again, adding: ‘So he lied? So he said that he had been cleared?’ to which the MP stuttered, before going on: ‘No, it’s perfectly possible that in clear conscience he believed he was doing the right thing, good people can make bad judgements in the work place.’

Susanna hit back a third time, asking: ‘Can you explain how that conversation would go…?’ to which the MP stuttered again, replying: ‘I’m hesitant to try and put words in Olly Robbins’ mouth. He will have the chance to speak directly.’

Still not backing down as the Secretary of State offered up his explanation and noted the PM’s ‘apology’, the presenter later went on to note how the story had been broken ‘seven months ago’ that Mandelson had failed vetting processes.

‘The idea that Downing Street only found in the last couple of days is complete nonsense,’ Susanna read aloud from a statement provided to Good Morning Britain.

While Douglas explained, Susanna hit out further: ‘You’re asking people to believe that a Prime Minister who used to be a director of public prosecutions, who would regularly be grilling people accused of the most serious crimes, can have the wool pulled over his eyes by a simple re-arrangement of words from a senior civil servant?

‘What hope have we got in the face of international threats from China, from Russia, from Iran, if a Prime Minister can be bamboozled in this way? It absolutely beggars belief. And I imagine viewers are asking, “Do you think we’re stupid?”.

The two then began speaking over one another as Ed watched on in silence.

It lead to the Secretary of State to beg the presenter: ‘If you will let me answer the question?’ as he struggled to keep control of the conversation, before adding again: ‘Susanna, let me try and answer your question.’

Fans watching on at home took to X, formerly Twitter, over the discussion, praising Susanna for grilling the MP and branding the chat ’embarrassing and laughable’.

One penned on X, formerly Twitter: ‘This Douglas Alexander interview on GMB is laughable,’ as another chimed in: ‘What an embarrassing interview.’

‘Well said, Susanna, you tell this clown,’ a third chimed in, as a fourth penned: ‘Well said Susanna. Fantastic to see her tackling the vetting issue… She’s saying exactly what we’re all thinking. We’re not stupid.’

‘Susanna is on it today. I think she’s had enough of Starmer, go girl,’ someone else wrote.

Others were less than impressed with the pair speaking over each other, hitting back: ‘Ffs does Susanna always talk over people like this? She’s f***ing irritating.’

Someone else chimed in: ‘Shout me down here if I’m wrong but have the last two and a half hours just been about Susanna screaming…’ as a third penned: ‘Omg ALL we can hear is Susanna shouting over people.’

Earlier this month, GMB viewers were left furious and hitting out at ‘waffling, time-wasting’ Yvette Cooper for ‘giving a masterclass in saying NOTHING’.

The Foreign Secretary took to the ITV programme on Thursday (April 9) to discuss the impacts of the two-week ceasefire agreement between America and Iran.

Despite the ceasefire, Brits have been warned that prices of petrol could soar in the six months coming, with the rise continuing in the hours following the announcement.

Presenters Ranvir Singh and Adil Ray were quick to quiz Yvette, 57, on the everyday impact for people in the UK due to the ongoing conflict, and what the government will be doing to help the public manage rising costs.

The politician began by explaining there were plans already in action to ensure household energy bills would not be too badly affected.

She told Ranvir and Adil: ‘Those have actually gone down this spring because of action the Labour government has already taken because we’re so concerned about the cost of living and the pressure that that is having on people.’

Insisting that the government will be looking at dealing with the source of the issue, Yvette was soon interjected by Ranvir with further questioning.

The presenter said: ‘We’ve had the Lib Dems on this morning saying that there is a package the government could look at straight away, that there is a higher tax revenue from the increase at the pumps.

‘How can that be used in the immediate in order to alleviate pressure on ordinary, very hard working families right now?’

‘We’ve already taken action to make sure there’s extra insulation for households for their energy bill,’ Yvette replied.

‘It’s because we’re so concerned about the cost of living and the pressure that is having on people we’re also looking at what further can be done.

‘We’ve also taken action to help rural communities who have been hit by the increase in the cost of heating oil that wasn’t covered by those energy price reductions.

‘We’re taking action at home, but we’ve got to deal with the source of this which is the Strait of Hormuz abroad.

‘We’ve already ensured that the fuel duty freeze was extended… so that in the end, ends up reducing the amount that people pay in fuel duty.

‘The chancellor is continuing to look at what targeted help is needed, but that is also why we’ve made sure not only have the household bills gone down, but the living wage has gone up, pension has gone up, and there’s increased support for families.

‘We’re continuing to look at that and that is the Chancellor’s top priority at the minute, how we can do it sustainably and affordably for the whole country, but how do we help people with these real cost of living pressures.

‘And how do we deal with the causes of this, as we can’t just stand by while events all over the world have such a big impact here at home, and that’s why our security, our economic security, and the cost of living here at home has to be at the forefront of our foreign policy and the action we take abroad as well.’

As Yvette went on to explain some of the steps being put in place to help families, fans were quick to head to X, formerly Twitter, to hit out at her responses.

‘Here we go, Yvette Cooper on GMB, a masterclass in saying plenty while somehow revealing absolutely nothing new,’ one angry viewer wrote.

Another chimed in: ‘The most incompetent government in history. It’s always someone else’s fault. Waiting for her to come out with free school breakfast clubs. JUST ANSWER THE F****NG QUESTION YVETTE.’

‘There is NO SUPPORT for rural oil heating home owners, our LABOUR council is adding any additional funding to a pot which is near on impossible to access. So please follow up your claim with the detail,’ a third added.

While a fourth said: ‘Another load of waffle starting with repeating the current situation to time waste no plan no idea too late when there is any typical this govt and she is getting an easy ride.’

‘Yvette Cooper on with her mad face… Who else finds her a complete turn off just like Starmer with her words meaningless because the lies from them have been relevant for their roles in government,’ a fifth concluded.

It comes after GMB viewers sank their claws into ‘nasty and aggressive’ Ranvir Singh after a ‘car crash’ interview left them fuming: ‘How rude is she?!’

Fans accused the presenter of ‘losing it’ during the interview, which saw Tory minister James Cleverly join Ranvir, 48, and co-host Richard Madeley on Wednesday (April 8).

The Shadow Home Secretary took to the ITV show after it was announced that the Conservatives would ban full-time council staff from working a four-day week.

James, 56, hit out that ‘taxpayers should not be paying full rates for part-time services’ and vowed to ‘end the nonsense’ if the Conservatives were to come into office after the next general election.

Ranvir struggled to hide her frustration at the situation as she challenged James on why the Tories weren’t pressing on with other issues.

She fumed: ‘There are other more pressing issues at local government level,’ as she claimed GMB viewers wanted to hear more about the issues surrounding expenditure by local councils on adult social care.

Ranvir asked: ‘Why aren’t you getting stuck into that this morning? That is where the real pinch point is for people watching this morning, not four-day weeks!’

James quickly hit back: ‘Are you suggesting that we should only deal with one issue?’ to which Ranvir retorted: ‘No. I’m suggesting that there are bigger issues at play that bother people this morning than a council worker working a four-day week and according to some statistics, doing slightly less work or slightly more work.’

Ranvir then accused the politician of ‘avoiding’ the social care issue, but the politician replied: ‘What do you mean “appear to be avoiding”? I have spoken about Labour’s mismanagement of local government funding.’

But the presenter then continued: ‘This isn’t just about Labour. The social care problem has been going on for much longer as you well know. It’s been underfunded for the last decade or more.’

James hit back once again: ‘I’m going to finish the point I was making and I can then move onto another point if you want me to.’

Viewers were quick to head to social media to discuss the interaction, hitting out against Ranvir on X, formerly Twitter.

One penned: ‘Whoa she’s being well rude you can disagree with someone in a professional way,’ as another agreed: ‘Cleverly sits as cool as a cucumber Ranvir’s completely lost her nut. Embarrassing.’

‘Ranvir coming across as a nasty individual today. She is being very personal here.. not good,’ a third wrote, as a fourth chimed in: ‘How rude is this woman?’

Another hit out against Ranvir having an ‘attitude’, as someone else concluded: ‘What a car crash interview’.

Others stepped in to defend Ranvir, admitting they too were frustrated by the Tory minister’s responses to the questions he was being dished out.

One said: ‘I work across 4 days. Still full time. I now have more time to help with my home life and my child. This is 2026.’

‘I worked four days a week for ten years, but I worked the same hours over 4 days as a five day week. Longer days. Three of those days I worked from home,’ someone else added.

‘My productivity NEVER dipped. If anything I worked more when at home. This myth of just having a day off is mind blowing.’

A third said: ‘For the past 4 years I have (via flexi working agreement) worked 4 days but full time hours and pay. Slightly longer days in the 4 but it’s not an issue. If this is how it would work what’s the issue?’

While a fourth hit out: ‘James, mate, four days working week means you work 37.5 hours a week over four days.’

It comes after Good Morning Britain was hit by a wave of Ofcom complaints as viewers hit out against presenter Ed Balls for ‘political bias’ after a ‘disgraceful’ live clash.

The ITV daytime programme, which Ed, 59, co-hosts alongside Susanna Reid, received 55 complaints for the show broadcast on March 23.

The TV watchdog confirmed that viewers had reached out to complain, alleging Ed had displayed ‘political bias’ during the instalment.

The complaints were sparked by a conversation between the TV host and anti-Semitism campaigner Dov Forman, who appeared on the show following an arson attack on a Jewish charity ambulance fleet.

Dov, 22, appeared via a video link in Golders Green, London, just hours after four of the charity-owned ambulances were set on fire.

In the weeks since the Hatzola ambulances were attacked as they parked in a synagogue car park, three men have been charged with arson, intent to damage property and reckless as to endangering life.

Dov, who is the great-grandson of Holocaust survivor and author Lily Ebert, was seen being quizzed by Ed and Susanna, 55, during his appearance on the show.

Ed was seen asking: ‘When you see last week the shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy singling out the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, for praying in Trafalgar Square in a Muslim group and saying that is wrong and shouldn’t happen, isn’t that the kind of intolerance and divisiveness which is causing problems in the Jewish community right now? Do you condemn that as well?’

Dov responded: ‘Well, look, I think the shadow justice secretary was making a point that many people in this country feel about Islamist extremism.

‘I won’t get drawn into a debate on whether his words were right or wrong. We are here to talk about the antisemitic attack this morning in the Jewish community.

‘Certainly, we need to be careful with our words, but as I say, there are people — including many in the Jewish community – who are worried about the spread of Islamist extremism, which is running rampant across society.’

According to The Sun, the programme later apologised to viewers about the exchange between the pair.

They are reported to have said: ‘The intention behind Ed’s question was to ask whether a culture of intolerance was placing Jews at greater risk of harm in the UK. We regret any misunderstanding and apologise for any offence caused.’

However, the comments sparked social media outrage, with viewers taking to X, formerly Twitter, to complain about the line of questioning.

One penned: ‘After an antisemitic attack on a Jewish volunteer ambulance service, you’d expect focused questions about the rise and threat of antisemitism in the UK.

‘Instead, he tried to shift the discussion – asking whether criticism of a mass iftar event in Trafalgar Square is “causing problems” for the Jewish community.

‘This isn’t balance or insight; it’s poor journalism that misses the point and dilutes the seriousness of antisemitism. Well handled by Dov Forman for staying on point.’

Another chimed in: ‘Ed Balls is a standing disgrace. He has no business hosting a news programme,’ as a third wrote: ‘Does Ed Balls even realise how offensive this was on the morning of an antisemitic hate attack against Jews in Golders Green!’

A fourth added: ‘What disgraceful whataboutery from Ed Balls,’ as a fifth simply called his questioning ‘disgusting’ while reacting to the interview.

The Daily Mail has contacted ITV for comment.

It comes after Ed locked horns with Huw Edwards’s publicist, accusing him of ‘promoting a paedophile and using bad mental health as an excuse for his crimes’ in a toe-curling Good Morning Britain interview.

In March, Barry Tomes spoke to Ed and Susanna Reid about the new Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards, which aired on Channel 5.

TV presenter Edwards, 64, who presented the BBC’s News At Ten for decades and broke some of the biggest stories including the death of Queen Elizabeth II, pled guilty to making indecent images of children in July 2024.

Barry approached Edwards and offered to be his publicist without being paid for his services, and explained that six months ago Edwards had told him that he ‘wanted to tell his side of the story’.

Barry explained to the presenters: ‘I’m looking for the black box. That’s why I am here. I want to find out why this happened.

‘He’s not the first famous man to have these issues. There will be more. Unless we can figure out why.’

He continued: ‘I am interested in mental health, for all sorts of family reasons. I think that lots of questions are being asked, but nobody seems to ask why does this happen? Why?’

Ed said: ‘Can I ask you about your decision, there are lots of ways you could support people with mental health issues to understand. But you’ve chosen in this case, a convicted paedophile, class A images, which he admitted in court, and convicted.

‘In the case of a lawyer, people have a right to defence in law, that is what defence lawyers do.

‘Sometimes they will do it pro bono, but you aren’t a lawyer, you are a publicist. You have chosen to help and support a convicted paedophile, and I wonder why you would choose Huw Edwards?

‘It’s your choice, nobody has made you do this.’

Barry explained: ‘It’s my choice. I made that clear, I approached him, he never approached me. Quite simply, I would like to find out why these things happen generally. Why do powerful men do these things.’

Ed then quickly pointed out to Barry: ‘But you’re not investigating, you’re his publicist. You’re telling his story.’

‘Don’t publicists investigate?’ Barry replied.

‘If you’re his publicist and you turn out to reach conclusions that are very negative to him, are you then going to publicise a story that he doesn’t want told?’ Ed asked him.

Barry replied: ‘I am going to tell the truth, yeah. 100 per cent, and he is aware of that.’

Ed later told him: ‘The problem is, he is a paedophile and you are his publicist, which means that you are a publicist for a paedophile.

‘It may be that you have an unusual contract in which you can say what you like independent of what he wants, which is an unusual relationship for a publicist, but Huw Edwards did produce a statement about the documentary, he says his interaction was shameless, reckless and damaging.

‘I mean it was worse than that, and then he goes on to I think use his mental illness as an excuse. He goes on to say he hopes that will explain how he behaved.

‘Were you comfortable with that statement? Normally a publicist would advise somebody putting a statement out.’

Barry responded: ‘I did sit with him,’ to which Ed asked: ‘So you were happy with that statement?’

Barry told the host: ‘I was happy because it was what he wanted to say. I am not asking him to change what he wants to say no more than I would allow him to say to me, “we can’t say that Barry”.’

Ed replied: ‘But you said a moment ago your goal is to get to the truth. Not to simply tell his side of the story.

‘Therefore, if you as his publicist, are publicising a statement which is his words, my assumption is that you wouldn’t have signed off those words, promoted them yourself, unless you were happy with those words.’

Barry responded: ‘They are his words, as far as I am concerned, what he wants to say. I haven’t published them, promoted them, I’ve distributed them.

‘If I send it to 1,000 people, they all think it’s horrific and don’t publish it, that’s fine.

‘I haven’t asked anybody to do it. I think did he not promote his book at the end?’

When asked if he thought if a suspended sentence was enough, Barry said: ‘I don’t have enough knowledge. My instinct is, it’s the only thing I can work with. The law took its process. I believe in the law. I believe in the courts.’

Barry also explained that when he sits down with Edwards, one of the questions he wants answered is if he is going to give back the £200,000 salary to the BBC.

‘I wouldn’t pay it back. He had a contract, his contract was terminated and he was paid,’ he told Susanna and Ed.

‘If they think they should have it back, have they started legal proceedings? Not sure. But I personally wouldn’t, no.’

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.