Status: 07/27/2022 07:29 a.m
A TV duel between the remaining candidates for the Tory presidency had to be stopped: the moderator had lost consciousness. Your co-moderator was not there because of a corona infection.
A televised debate between candidates to succeed Britain’s Prime Minister has come to an abrupt end after the presenter fainted. Secretary of State Liz Truss and ex-Treasury Secretary Rishi Sunak were locked in another duel on Tuesday night on TalkTV when a rumble was heard as presenter Kate McCann fell to the ground.
On the live broadcast, Truss could be seen stopping mid-sentence and exclaiming, “Oh my God,” in shock. Then she ran to the presenter, who was not in the picture. The broadcaster later said McCann was fine. However, on medical advice, the TV debate was not continued. “Relieved to hear that Kate McCann is doing well,” Truss wrote on Twitter after the incident.
Sunak also tweeted to McCann, “It was a great debate and I look forward to being grilled by you again soon!”
Co-moderator canceled due to Corona
The discussion was hosted by the tabloid The Sun and Talk TV, both owned by media entrepreneur Rupert Murdoch. McCann, Talk TV’s political editor, was supposed to be co-hosting with The Sun’s Harry Cole, but had previously tested positive for the coronavirus and canceled.
The two competitors in the race to succeed Johnson as party leader of the conservative Tories and head of government had their first TV duel on Monday evening.
In a run-off election, all around 200,000 Tory members will determine the successor. The result is to be announced on September 5th. So far, opinion polls see Truss clearly ahead of Sunak.
Johnson was forced to resign as party leader on July 7 by an internal party revolt against his much-criticized leadership, which also meant the end of his government office. However, he wants to remain prime minister until his successor is chosen.
Fainting stops TV duel of Johnson successor candidates
Gabi Biesinger, ARD London, 27.7.2022 7:37 a.m