Good Morning Britain guest John Stapleton hits out at Boris Johnson for police treatment

John Stapleton has hit out at Boris Johnson’s government for the lack of pay rise for police amid their new plans to tackle crime.

The GMTV veteran made an appearance on Good Morning Britain and spoke alongside journalist Andrew Pierce with presenters Susanna Reid and Ben Shepherd.

They discussed reports of a rise in attacks on police officers in the last year and the lack of a pay rise for police officers despite the difficult period of the pandemic.

Susanna noted the “fury” from the Police Federation regarding many police not being rewarded for having to enforce a “confusing set of coronavirus rules” amid Boris Johnson ’s ‘beating crime plan’ with more focus on victims having named police officers to consult with.

Ben Shepherd and Susanna Reid discussed plans for police from the UK government on Good Morning Britain (ITV)

John responded: “They get nothing. Nothing at all.

“You’re quite right, throughout the pandemic they’ve had to put into action the legislation which has changed continually - confusing rather than not - throughout the pandemic on the streets of England and Wales in the case of the police.

“And they are being, as the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire is saying, being attacked more and more. Physically attacked, verbally attacked about their ethnicity, their religion…it’s just outrageous.”

John Stapleton (pictured) hit out at the lack of reward for police for their hard work in the coronavirus pandemic (ITV)

John noted that, on average, around 50 officers a day were being attacked now and now “get no reward” for their actions in the pandemic.

“The plan this government has come up with today…forgive me for being cynical but I’m afraid I treat statements like this from the Prime Minister these days with more than a touch of salt," noted John.

“Don’t forget what he said about social care. On the very day that he was made prime minister he said ‘I’ve got a plan for social care to sort it out for once and for all.”

John noted PM Boris Johnson had broken his promises surrounding solving social care issues too (Getty Images)

Susanna then questioned: “Where is it?”

“We haven’t even seen the plan,” noted John, “so when they make announcements like this about giving each area their own named copper etc. I’m afraid I’m a bit cynical and take it with a pinch of salt because don’t forget this is the government that actually axed 22,000 police officers in the past two years and 18,000 staff.

“So it’s little wonder the police are struggling”.

*Good Morning Britain airs on weekday mornings from 6am to 9am on ITV with past episodes on ITV Hub.