An Insulate Britain protester pulled a Piers Morgan and stormed off Good Morning Britain after clashing with host Richard Madeley about whether it is right for peaceful protesters to be jailed.
Liam Norton was invited on the show to discuss how Insulate Britain are calling on the government to take action on home insulation and have staged protests by blocking the M25 five times in the past week.
Yesterday (21st September), 38 people were arrested as they attempted to block the road for the fifth time, it comes as police warn protesters they are putting their own lives and others at risk with this stunt.
The National Highways have been granted an injunction today (21st September) which now means activists will face possible imprisonment once the injunction comes into effect, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said.
On GMB, hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley challenged Liam about the protests which led to an elderly woman being paralyzed from a stroke as a result of the roads being blocked, the woman’s son told LBC.
It was also revealed by fellow guest Dawn Neesom that Liam himself has not insulated in his own home.
Liam Norton from Insulate Britain is challenged following the discovery that he hasn't insulated his own home.@susannareid100 and Journalist @DawnNeesom question why he hasn't insulated his own home but is putting his own life and others lives at risk by protesting. pic.twitter.com/DrUspuQC9X
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) September 22, 2021
But Susanna wasn’t going to let this slide as she shared her shock at this revelation, and Liam then asked her if she was aware of the costs involved.
“Just try not to be so patronising when you’re speaking to me,” Susanna warned calmly.
But it was Richard and Liam who were in heated loggerheads with each other before the protester decided enough was enough.
Liam Norton from Insulate Britain walks away from the debate after clashing with @richardm56 over Insulate Britain's motorway protests.
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) September 22, 2021
Watch GMB 👉 https://t.co/6iQ6eaXdgg pic.twitter.com/9Y4t20GrwA
Liam got frustrated at the presenter talking over him and shouted: “Richard, it’s like I’m on repeat because you’re not listening!
“I am listening and I agree with you,” Richard hit back.
“Do you know how many MPs supported Winston Churchill in 1937? Six MPs supported him and Churchill was right wasn’t he?” Liam shouted.
“You’re comparing yourself to Winston Churchill?” Richard shouted back. “You’ve got your fingers in your ears, you just cannot see the reality of what you’re doing!”
“We are talking about the future of our country, and the future of our economy and you keep talking about hypothetical situations,” Liam replied.
“We’re right, we’re right okay? Richard, we have been writing letter for 30 years, we’ve been writing petitions for 30 years, we’ve been pleading with our Government for 30 years!
“And what we’re saying to the Government is this: ‘this is our line in the sand!’”
Liam continued: “We are demanding that the Government make a meaningful statement to save the future of this country and if they refuse to do it then they can put us in prison and that’s the Home Secretary’s decision.”
It was at this point that Liam decided he was done with the debate, as he stood up from his chair shouted: “I’m fed up of speaking to people in this country.”
This only amused Richard who laughed and said: “You’re gonna do a Piers!” (in reference to the time to Piers Morgan infamously stormed off the show back in March).
GMB viewers appeared to support Norton’s walkout while berating Madeley for talking over the protester.
Although if I was arguing with Richard Madeley, I’d probably have to walk out too #GMB pic.twitter.com/HVfrqntkn6
— CH (@OfficialCWH) September 22, 2021
Good for the protester on #GMB. Appalling interviewing from Richard Madeley.
— Jamie (@TheJamieWright) September 22, 2021
Nasty sarky power bullying from #GMB Richard Madeley. https://t.co/eurVKjMbps
— rednutkin (@rednutkin) September 22, 2021
Sorry but I thought madley was truly awful , the guy wasn’t listened too at all, he may/could’ve done it better but @gmb that wasn’t very good. https://t.co/N5j8D7DOeq
— Mytvcinema.com (@Mytvcinema2005) September 22, 2021
Excellent - if he hadnt done that his appearance would have been ignored - keep playing this clip.
— dave democracy (@dave_democracy) September 22, 2021
Good for him, if the presenter does not allow him to talk then the only way to make their appearance memorable is to walk off, on air, so viewers then ask why have they walked off.
— DJMT (@DJT1Million) September 22, 2021
I don’t necessarily support the way they’re going about this but the way @richardm56 behaved was utterly appalling. Not surprised the guy walked off.
— 🏴La Ragazza Scozzese🇮🇹 (@SMctoot) September 22, 2021
Though some were not impressed with Norton’s interview at all.
Passionate maybe. But storming out of the studio after having a passionate tantrum won’t exactly work out in your favour. https://t.co/rI2YSSnnhm
— Tom Fenn (@tomfenn8) September 22, 2021
Insulate Britain protester compares himself to Winston Churchill. Then walks off in a huff.
— Shrodingers Borderline Semi Normal (@JeremyCordite) September 22, 2021
😂😂 https://t.co/Pw6jdn3jfR
I'm in the seemingly unpopular camp of sympathizing with Insulate Britain, but this guy has been on multiple news shows now and he's an optics nightmare. Obviously this in particular is planned, but he really cannot get a specific point across at all. https://t.co/J9QCEoEOBG
— Ben Watters (@KorrBardh) September 22, 2021
Can’t win your argument just walk off lol https://t.co/hIhGDbCcBN
— Elliott 💎 (@XchopperEll) September 22, 2021
While some couldn’t help but compare it with Piers Morgan’s infamous GMB walk-out.
Who did it better? https://t.co/bUsuoU9w6z pic.twitter.com/fiTUFnsSXn
— Adam Clark (@adamclarkitv) September 22, 2021
He just wants to be like @piersmorgan 😂😂 https://t.co/056EzCNajb
— Mick Hart (@mickhart76) September 22, 2021
@piersmorgan all over again https://t.co/9fNXaAr6G1
— Thomas Phillips (@21Ilovefootball) September 22, 2021
When you have the same seat used by Piers Morgan, that’s what happen 😁 pic.twitter.com/ZEogfmMYfm
— Fab Julien (@fabric_fm) September 22, 2021
Can't believe Piers Morgan has been giving Insulate Britain some tips on how to handle live television. https://t.co/gT00vvio9r
— Sean The Mondasian Cyberman (@WhoPotterVian) September 22, 2021
The hosts then headed over to Lorraine Kelly to see what was coming up on the program, and Lorraine couldn’t help but comment on the tense exchange that just happened.
As Susanna greeted, Lorraine said: “Crikey,” in response to the incident.
“He lost the argument, didn’t he? As soon as he admitted he did not insulate his own property,” Lorraine added.
“Or, we are led to believe that. And when you walk out, you have lost the argument. You really have.
“It is such a shame, too, because it is so important.”
She then defended Susanna and said: “But he has gone down this crazy rabbit hole - it is just so sad, and also he was so patronising to you Susanna.
“So patronising. I was shouting at the telly!”
Susanna said: “The thing is, Lorraine. The crazy thing is that we all agree. We do. We all agree.
“Especially on a week like this week, with rising fuel bills.”
