Moment Robert Jenrick fumes ‘well, that was a waste of time’ on hot mic after Susanna Reid grilling on GMB

ROBERT Jenrick has been caught saying “well, that was a waste of time” after a TV interview this morning. Reform UK MP and Treasury Spokesperson’s quip was picked up by his mic at the end of his live chat on Good Morning Britain following a grilling by co-host Susanna Reid. Robert Jenrick’s mic was still live when he made the quip GMB hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls immediately responded to the comment The former Tory was being questioned by hosts Reid and Ed Balls about the controversial £5million lump sum received by Reform party leader Nigel Farage which he failed to declare to the government. He was also pressed on the seeming hypocrisy in criticising the Conservatives, as he was an integral part of their recent tenure leading to a heated exchange with Reid. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Jenrick said “nothing exemplifies the failure of the British state and our politics” more than the early prison release scheme pushed by both the current Labour government and its Tory predecessors. Reid argued he was part of the latter’s government, telling him: “That was a government of which you were a minister in the Home Office, responsible for policing. Do you feel a sense of shame?” Then, as the hosts wrapped up the interview and transitioned to the next segment, Jenrick’s microphone remained live. He was clearly heard muttering, “Well, that was a waste of time”. Balls immediately responded on-air, defending the interview and stating that it was vital for Jenrick to clarify his position on the alleged donation probe. It comes as new Labour PM Andy Burnham was sworn in on Monday – with Jenrick on hand to also discuss a viral clip of Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood joking about the government’s early prison release scheme. Most read in The Sun Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood joked about the government’s early prison release scheme Embarassing footage shows the two Cabinet ministers joking with new justice secretary Alex Norris Mr Streeting has since apologised in a post online, saying “it was a reference to an old May/Clarke joke”, while Mahmood said there was “no ill intent.” Meanwhile, Farage had received the money from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne before announcing his plan to run for MP in May 2024. He claims it was not a political donation but a personal gift meant for his security, and so was not added to the MPs’ register of interest. Farage called the scrutiny over his finances an “establishment stitch-up” before giving up his constituency seat in Clacton to trigger a by-election. The move meant a parliamentary investigation into the undeclared gift was paused. Jenrick – who defected to Reform from the Conservatives earlier this year – has defended Farage in the row. After the utterance was picked up on GMB today, co-host and former Labour politician Balls said: “Oh dear. I think it wasn’t a waste of time. “I think Robert Jenrick gave us very clear answers.” After the clip was shared online, Jenrick wrote: “We’ve got Ed’s useless mates back in government, people are struggling, and he can’t be bothered to ask how Reform would do things differently,” he said. “For the record: Reform will cut your energy bills by £200 by cutting VAT *and* by removing green levies.” During the GMB interview itself, he criticised the current government and previous Tory leadership for failing to build new prisons or reduce the backlog of criminal cases that had built up. He said: “Nothing exemplifies the failure of the British state and our politics more than this.” Reid argued he was part of the Tory government, telling him: “When you criticise the former Conservative government, that was a government of which you were a minister in the Home Office, responsible for policing. Do you feel a sense of shame?” Jenrick responded that he quit the party because of “its failures”, adding: “I wouldn’t absolve this government of responsibility as you seem to be.” Reid then denied she was absolving the government of anything as the discussion grew heated. She said: “Sorry, Mr Jenrick. When did I absolve this government? No, but don’t make a criticism of me that is untrue.” Jenrick cut in: “Most of this conversation has been about the past rather than the present.” Then, as the pair spoke over each other, Reid said: “Don’t make a false accusation against me.” The politician said: “You’ve just shown a video of the Justice Secretary, the Home Secretary and the Defence Secretary on a terrace outside Number 10, laughing at the fact that they’re doing this [early release scheme].” He noted that the interview had been more focused on the Conservative failures than Labour’s. As the chat concluded, he was then heard making his “waste of time” comment. Comment now