Immigration minister Michael Tomlinson’s car crash interview with Sky News journalist Kay Burley on Wednesday almost ended on a fun note when he suggested that she ask him about sports, only for him to fumble the question entirely.
Tomlinson appeared on Sky News to discuss the party rebellion suffered late Tuesday by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over his Rwanda bill.
After hearing that the minister hadn’t watched the ITV drama that reignited outrage over the government’s handling of the Post Office scandal, Burley asks him what he does watch. Tomlinson says he doesn’t have much time for “box sets” but does watch sports. What followed was a comedy sketch.
“I do enjoy watching sport. And if you want to ask me about cricket or sport, then please do,” Tomlinson suggested.
The host asked: “Who’s your football team?”
Stumped, Tomlinson said: “My football team… I didn’t really have a football team…
“So you’re not a sports fan,” Burley replied.
The minister quickly returned: “I’m a cricket fan. I love sport. I enjoy watching sport, but it’d be wrong to tell you that I have a football team. I’ve been to… I’ve been to Bourmouthth. I’ve been to various other grounds, but I don’t have a specific football team. Okay, it’s good to see… Wimborne Town football club. Okay, there we go Wimborne Town.”
Testing him further,
Tomlinson, stumped, responded: “I couldn’t tell you that the last result. Last I was there was very exciting. Lots of goals were scored and it was a one all draw.”
Burley laughed: “That’s not lots of goals.”
Reaching for his glass of water and hoping to close the interview off, Tomlinson muttered: “Well, it was. It’s good. Thank you.”