The presenter was slammed by Good Morning Britain viewers.

Ed Balls and Susanna Reid sparked major backlash following their interview with Kemi Badenoch on Good Morning Britain. The politician joined the presenters in the studio during Monday’s show, shortly after marking one year as the leader of the Conservative Party. But within minutes into the discussion, the ITV duo questioned the Tory leader about Nigel Farage as opposed to her own party’s plans for the upcoming year. She quickly dismissed similarities with Keir Starmer, branding him “weak” and claiming he was “floundering around”.

When she claimed the Conservatives were the “only party” making the correct decisions for the country, Reid took the opportunity to mention Reform UK leader Farage. “Leaving the ECHR [European Court of Human Rights] is also a Reform policy, and Reform are absolutely miles away from you in terms of the big issue for voters, which is immigration,” the presenter interjected, asking whether it is time for the Conservatives to consider making a deal with Reform.

“Absolutely not,” Badenoch said. “This is not the time to be talking about any sort of deals.”

She continued: “What I’m interested in is getting the country working, not just getting back in for its own sake. That’s one of the mistakes that we made before, and Labour’s made that same mistake.

“What are you winning for? What is the plan? What are you going to do? Reform doesn’t have any plans. They’re just saying whatever to whoever. We’re not going to do deals on that basis. We are doing deals – sorry – we’re not doing deals. We are talking about what we need to do to get our country working again.

“We have a cheap power plan. We want to abolish stamp duty. We want to see business rates abolished on the high street. Our high streets are closing down. Businesses are screaming.”

Badenoch said she wants people to “feel a sense of optimism” and insisted the Conservatives are “bringing that hope”.

The politician was constantly questioned about Nigel Farage (Image: ITV)

After Reid pointed out Badenoch’s “slip of the tongue” about a potential deal with Reform UK, the Tory leader reaffirmed her position, insisting there would be no deals with Farage’s party.

She said: “No deals with Reform. Reform are not a conservative party. They want to spend more money on welfare. We’re talking about reducing welfare. Public spending is out of control.

“They’re talking about random things like nationalising Rolls-Royce, nationalising oil and gas. We’re not a nationalisation party. We believe the talent is out there in the country. Let business be unleashed and deliver the growth. It’s not the politicians that are going to do that. It’s actually the people out there in the country.”

Entering the discussion for the first time, Balls grilled Badenoch about the allegations of racism made by Mr Farage’s former school pupil instead of questioning the politician about anything regarding her own party.

The presenter played a clip of an interview conducted by Good Morning Britain, showcasing one of Farage’s former pupil making the accusations.

“Is that ancient history, or does it say something about his character today?” he asked, leading Badenoch to respond: “I think what it says about a character is the fact that he has not been able to apologise and say, ‘I’m sorry I said that.’

“All of us said and did things that we regret doing, that’s why I’ve made a big play of acknowledging the mistakes the Conservative Party made in our government.”

She claimed the debate should be about whether Farage still holds those beliefs today, as opposed to what he is alleged to have said. Both presenters then asked whether Badenoch believes he possesses those beliefs, prompting her to respond: “I don’t know, I don’t know, this happened before I was born. He’s an old guy, and he should come out and explain why he can’t apologise. I think he needs to apologise.”

The conversation moved on to what the Conservatives would implement or scrap if they were re-elected, but the discussion made its way back to Farage when Badenoch said they would overhaul Labour’s tax measures on private schools and farmers.

“Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform, says he won’t promise tax cuts,” Balls said. “He says it would be irresponsible to do so unless he knows the state of the public finances. But you’re promising to abolish stamp duty, so you are doing what he calls the risky and irresponsible thing.”

Badenoch hit back: “But we’ve said where the money’s coming from. He promised loads of tax cuts – £90 billion of stuff – which he then jumped. If Nigel Farage had won that election, he would have broken every single promise, saying that he couldn’t do it.”

Asked whether Farage is the “Liz Truss of British politics” by Balls, the politician responded: “I don’t know what he is. He’s just saying whatever.”

The interview sparked outrage on social media, with many furious over the fact the presenters continued questioning the Conservative leader about Farage and allegations he has previously denied.

Nigel Farage has denied the allegations of antisemitism (Image: Getty)

One raged: “Desperate to trip up the Conservative leader, what a toe curling interview… ‘But Farage, Farage!’ Ridiculously biased itv. Well done Kemi.” (sic)

“What a pointless interview that was more about reform than anything else?” fumed a second as another declared: “What a terrible interview I don’t know who was worse Susanna or Ed and the faces Reid was pulling, what the hell. I think Kemi was looking at them and thinking that she is on the wrong show. Kemi has my vote.”

“Balls obsessed with Farage,” added a fourth as a fifth echoed: “A pathetic shot at @Nigel_Farage again showing Kemi footage of that guy… about something… 50 years ago.”

Slamming the presenter, another viewer hit out: “Did anyone note the Farage bashing has started by biased Balls!! Every opportunity to badmouth him!!!”