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Question Time descends into chaos as furious Fiona Bruce forced to intervene
Reach Daily Express | February 20, 2026 8:39 AM CST

Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce was forced to intervene as a debate about government U-turns descended into a shouting match between two panellists on Thursday's episode. The show was coming from the Hampshire town of Ringwood, with panellists Heidi Alexander MP; Richard Holden MP; Robert Jenrick MP and journalist and podcaster Jon Sopel.

Jenrick and Sopel got caught in a heated argument less than halfway through the show. The News Agents presenter Sopel fired the opening salvo making his feelings towards Jenrick clear: "You were a remainer when David Cameron was the Prime Minister. You were a brexiteer when Boris [was in charge]. You said, 'It's a shame that shameful Liz Truss is still in the Conservative Party', but you voted for her budget," he slammed him.

"And now, when the Tories are languishing in the polls, which they most certainly are, you've gone to the party that is leading in the polls," he raged, referring to Jenrick's defection to Reform.

Jenrick shot back: "I'm not going to take any lessons from the man who said that Peter Mandelson was a class act when he was appointed as our ambassador to Washington.

"I don't think that you're a very good judge. Didn't you also go on telly and say that Huw Edwards was a great man and a close friend of yours John?"

"You're deflecting," Sopal insisted twice and added the fact he wasn't seeking elected office.

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The pair then started shouting over each other trying to make their points, forcing host Bruce to raise her voice and shout at them to desist.

"Stop, the pair of you," she shouted, looking angry. She then leaned across to Jenrick to make a point of her own.

"Robert, I might remind you that that your current leader, Farage also said some very complimentary things about Peter Mandelson when he was appointed," she said.

With things calmed down she changed the subject saying: "Let's park that for a minute. I know you want to come back in, but my goodness, the audience is sitting here not getting a word in edgeways."


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