Piers Morgan managed to seriously get under Nick Clegg's skin over tuition fees.
We're used to Piers being a tit to his guests - it's why people still watch him. I think, if you're going to take part in an interview with him, the trick is not to let him rattle you. Former leader of the Lib Dems, Nick Clegg, did not do this.
He managed to make himself look like a sulky teen during his appearance on Good Morning Britain today, after Piers questioned him over the coalition government's decision to raise tuition fees, despite his party's election campaign promise not to do so.
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I mean, this is the man who made a young mum cry during an interview, so why would a politician think he was going to get an easier ride?
In his usual antagonistic style, Piers said: "A lot of students in the country would look at you and think that was a pretty cynical move, to promise the end of tuition fees and then treble them... but I will take you at your word that you are the shining bastion of non-cynicism in an otherwise cesspit of cynicism in Westminster."
Credit: ITV/Good Morning Britain
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He then sarcastically added: "Thank God you're here."
That's it, Clegg's gone.
He's already starting to get the hump, shaking his head and rolling his eyes, before saying: "Extraordinary man," under his breath.
Before saying: "You are so pompous Piers, you really are." There's even a little crack in his voice, like he's about to cry.
Not letting him off with that, Piers replied: "It wasn't me who trebled tuition fees." Fair point, actually.
Credit: ITV/Good Morning Britain
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Clegg's Lib Dems were slated in the press after promising to
oppose any increases in tuition fees and to restore free education in their
manifesto, before coming to power in a Lib Dem/Tory coalition and trebling them.
Looking well and truly pissed off, Clegg responded: "This sort of sanctimony this early in the morning... anyway..." and sort of trailing off, probably hoping for a swift change in conversation.
Obviously, Piers wasn't going to allow that happen, he said: "It's not sanctimony, it's the fact you've just billed yourself, you said I should be astonished that there is no cynicism in you, and I am saying it's pretty cynical if you're a student in this country.
"They believed you when you said you were going to get rid of tuition fees and actually you trebled them. That's not me being pompous. It's a fact."
You OK Clegg, hun?
Topics: Piers Morgan