Truss looked visibly startled
The Tory leadership debate between Prime Ministerial hopefuls Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss had to be halted mid-broadcast after a loud crashing noise was heard on set.
As you can see in the clip taken from TalkTV‘s broadcast footage, Truss looked visibly distressed as a the loud noise can be heard and the camera begins to move and Truss begins to walk out of frame:
https://twitter.com/TheDroyver/status/1551985709006856192?s=20&t=3DqdHi4Ut36RKLxczl0h-g
While it was not immediately known what the issue was that caused the crash and for the debate to be put on hold, the BBC reports that stand-in presenter Kate McCann “fainted and collapsed” on the set.
This was confirmed by TalkTV shortly after:
Kate McCann fainted on air tonight and although she is fine, the medical advice was that we shouldn't continue with the debate. We apologise to our viewers and listeners.
— TalkTV (@TalkTV) July 26, 2022
Fortunately, McCann is said to be fine, as are both Ms Truss and Mr Sunak who were simply alarmed by the sudden collapse during their second head-to-head debate entitled, “The Fight for No 10”.
Although a spokesperson for The Sun (who own TalkTV – a subsidiary of News UK) said they “hope[d] to be back on air soon” following the medical issue, as you can see, the advice from those attending to McCann on set advised that the debate should not continue.
The network apologised for the breaking in coverage and insist they will “return to normal programming soon.”
Industry figures and political peers took to social media to send their best wishes to McCann, stating that she was doing a “brilliant job” hosting the debate prior to the medical emergency.
Hope @KateEMcCann is ok. She was doing a brilliant job. Get well soon!
— Amanda Milling (@amandamilling) July 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/sophielouisecc/status/1551992572498874369?s=20&t=BZIIJU1RRwTzs3atagfnUA
Thoughts with the great Kate McCann, who was bossing the debate as expected. I am hearing that she is doing ok.
— Stig Abell (@StigAbell) July 26, 2022
Lord Falconer, the former Labour lord chancellor also took time to praise her presenting throughout the debate and forcing both candidates to focus on answering the questions after Monday’s debate saw numerous deflections and interruptions.
Very best wishes to Kate McCann. She hosted the debate brilliantly before it stopped. Had authority and forced both contenders to focus on their own answers. The extraordinary summer of 2022 makes another superstar.
— Charlie Falconer (@LordCFalconer) July 26, 2022
Related links
- Just Rishi Sunak being insanely weird
- Boris Johnson ‘does not want to resign’ and ‘wished he could carry on’ as PM, claims Tory pal
- Just Liz Truss being absolutely mental
