‘Need to go!’ Therese Coffey cuts BBC interview short as she snubs Jon Kay probe

Thérèse Coffey ends BBC interview after question about her smoking

Liz Truss wasted no time in shaking up the Conservative front benches following her appointment as Prime Minister on Tuesday, appointing Therese Coffey as the new Health Secretary. However, Ms Coffey’s appointment and the new-look government as a whole have been met by some with scepticism and BBC Breakfast’s Jon Kay was keen to hear how Ms Coffey would alleviate any worries from the public.

Kay grilled Ms Coffey on a number of subjects, from Ms Truss’ approach to the energy crisis to her own personal beliefs.

However, when he turned to Ms Coffey’s role specifically, given her stance on abortion measures over the years, the new Health Secretary revealed she’d have to cut the interview short.

Kay probed: “As for you and your new job as Health Secretary, you’ll be aware that the British Pregnancy Advisory Service have issued a statement saying they’re ‘deeply concerned’ about your appointment because of your record on abortion rights. 

“What do you say to them and to reassure women across the country who might be concerned about your position in this job?”

READ MORE: BBC Breakfast fans slam Jon over ‘daft’ questions to Labour’s Lammy

BBC Breakfast: Therese Coffey cuts BBC interview short (Image: BBC)

BBC Breakfast: Jon Kay grills Therese Coffey (Image: BBC)

Ms Coffey bluntly replied: “Well, access to abortion is set out, that’s already available right across the United Kingdom. 

“Of course, I’m responsible for England and that access will continue,” she added.

But Kay wasn’t satisfied as he grilled further: “But we have a new Health Secretary, you voted against at-home abortion pills permanently available after Covid, that kind of thing worries people like the BPAS and others, you know that.”

Ms Coffey responded: “Well, I’m a Democrat and the vote was won in parliament by people who want to make that permanent. 

BBC Breakfast: Liz Truss profile (Image: EXPRESS) Therese Coffey dodges demands for clarity on Truss energy plan

“There are many other people who are exceptionally pro-abortion did not want that to happen. 

“However, parliament voted and it’s happened and the regulations are already in place. 

“So, as I say, my focus is on patients, my focus is on ambulances, backlogs, care, doctors and dentists, and that is what the vast majority of people who use the NHS, that’s what they focus on the NHS and that’s what I’ll continue to focus on.”

“But you are not planning to make any changes?” Kay interjected. “You’re not going to…”

DON’T MISS:Phillip Schofield sparks uproar for ‘laughing’ at latest Spin to Win Phillip Schofield pays tribute to Fern Britton on This MorningGMB viewers ‘switch off’ over ‘biased’ election coverage ‘Painful’

However, Ms Coffey could be seen talking over the top of the BBC presenter, keen to cut the interview short.

She interjected: “As I say, my focus is on ABCD and that will be my focus for the time I’m in health and social care. 

“Forgive me to my friends at the BBC, I need to go to another broadcaster.”

Kay persisted, however, quizzing Ms Coffey on her “personal views and faith” before bringing up the fact social media has raised the issue that she is a “smoker”.

But Ms Coffey dismissed the probe, telling Kay she was “too busy” to look at social media. 

The new Healthy Secretary slapped down the social media question by reiterating her focus is on the “ABCD” before abruptly ending her retort: “Thank you very much for your time.”

Kay thanked Ms Coffey as well before the interview was brought to its conclusion.

BBC Breakfast airs daily at 6am on BBC One.