Piers Morgan and Jacob Rees-Mogg were embroiled in a war of words today over the coronavirus.
The TV star and Leader of the Commons clashed after Good Morning Britain host Morgan had criticised the Government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
(Image: ITV)
Speaking in the Commons, Conservative MP Mr Rees-Mogg, whose father William was editor of The Times, said: “One does not have to take every utterance from controversialists as holy writ.
“Piers Morgan enjoys causing row and I think, frankly, we would be better to pay less attention to him rather than more, and listen to the Government advisers.
“But free speech is very precious, and if people want to say silly things and look foolish that will be a matter for them.”
(Image: REUTERS)
It came after Conservative MP Lee Anderson had told the Commons: “During times of national emergency, the media pay a vital role in delivering information to concerned views, listeners and readers.
“Scrutiny is good, but undermining the national effort by spreading misinformation helps nobody and creates panic among some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
“Can you raise this issue with broadcasters such as ITV, where Piers Morgan – who has no scientific or medical qualifications – seems to want to make irresponsible comments on a daily basis?”
Morgan later took to Twitter to hit back, posting: “Wow.
“Is that the same Rees-Mogg who had to be benched during the election campaign for saying Grenfell victims lacked ‘common sense’?
(Image: Getty Images for BAFTA LA)
“And what ‘misinformation’ have I been spreading exactly, given the Govt is now doing almost all the things I urged it to a week ago?”
Mr Rees-Mogg was sidelined from the election run-in last winter after using a radio interview to suggest Grenfell victims should have used their “common sense” and fled the blazing tower block, despite official advice to remain inside.
Some 72 were people killed.
