Piers Morgan was left gobsmacked today as Health Secretary Matt Hancock refused to disclose whether he would waive his entitlement to a proposed pay rise for MPs.
The Health Secretary was quizzed on the subject by Piers in an awkward exchange on Good Morning Britain.
It is the second time Mr Hancock has appeared on the show since the government stopped boycotting the ITV programme.
The proposed rise in pay has come from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority who are responsible for overseeing MPs' pay, pensions and expenses.
The rise in pay, expected for all MPs, could be introduced as early as April 2021 and could see £3,000 added to their current £79,468 base salary.
Some MPs have expressed unease about being awarded a pay rise at a time when many of their constituents are facing economic uncertainty.
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That point was hammered home by Piers Morgan who questioned the morality behind the decision at a time when thousands of people have died and more people are losing their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Piers said: “In a year when we have a global pandemic when we have the worst death toll in Europe and the worst economic meltdown in Europe, none of you should be taking a penny in a pay rise, so I simply ask you again are you prepared to lead right now on Good Morning Britain and say, I will not take a penny?”
The Health Secretary hesitated and began to offer an answer before he was interrupted by the GMB host.
Piers added: “Yes or No Mr Hancock?”
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Mr Hancock replied: ““Well I’m telling you my answer. I will answer this question, first when the pay policy has been set up by the Chancellor because there’s lots of speculation."
Piers jumped on the Health Secretary once again.
He said: “Just say I Matt Hancock, right now, tell Good Morning Britain viewers that in all good conscience, it will be wrong of me to take a penny in a pay rise this year and I am going to put my hand up and lead.”
Mr Hancock finally gave an answer which left Piers raging. The MP said: “It’s very tempting, it’s very tempting Piers, however I’m a stickler for not pre-judging things.”
