Immigration minister Michael Tomlinson’s interview on Sky News this morning sparked comparisons to the Thick Of It, as he went on a bizarre tangent about sport amid a grilling about the Post Office scandal.
Presenter Kay Burley asked the minister whether he had watched ITV’s hit drama about the scandal, with Mr Tomlinson saying he had not seen it.
Ms Burley said: “It’s a story that’s gripped the nation, surely you could take a bit of time out to see what everybody’s talking about.”
He claimed he’s been too busy focussing on the Government’s flagship Rwanda legislation currently going through the House of Commons.
Later in the interview, Ms Burley pressed him on what television he does watch, with the top Tory replying: “I watch very little is the honest and straightforward answer.
“If you ask my family they’ll say I’m a little bit focused on what I’m doing and probably don’t have enough time to watch box sets.
“I’m not sure I could even tell you the last boxset I watched – but I do enjoy watching sport, so if you want to ask me about cricket or sport then please do.”
A bemused Kay Burley replied with the simple follow-up question: “Who’s your football team.”
Mr Tomlinson replied “I don’t really have a football team”, sparking the presenter to point out: “So you’re not a sports fan, really?!”
He rebutted that he is a cricket fan and does love sport, but it “would be wrong to tell you I have a football team”.
Despite repeating he doesn’t “have a specific football team”, he swiftly interrupted himself to then say it was Wimborne Town FC.
However asked what Wimborne Town’s last result was, Mr Tomlinson said: “I couldn’t tell you that.
“The last result when I was there was very exciting – lots of goals were scored and it was a 1:1 draw.”
A chortling Kay Burley pointed out that a 1:1 draw did not constitute “lots of goals” before terminating the interview.
The toe-curling exchange was compared to the political satire The Thick Of It, as well as being labelled a “car crash” by some on social media.
One X user, @BestForBritain, posted a clip of the interview and said: “Absolute car crash interview with immigration minister Tomlinson.”
