Politicians appearing on Today expect to be questioned robustly, with the positions of their parties examined in detail on behalf of our listeners. We believe Emma Barnett’s approach to this interview was in line with this.

Following Andy Burnham’s comments at Prime Minister’s Questions, Ms Badenoch criticised the government’s approach to welfare and defence spending. It was therefore appropriate for Emma to challenge Ms Badenoch on the Conservative Party’s proposals.

Emma asked legitimate questions about the implications of the Conservatives’ policy and gave Ms Badenoch the opportunity to explain and defend her position. 

The role of a political interview is to test and scrutinise the positions being put forward, including by putting opposing arguments to an interviewee. This should not be taken as an indication of a presenter’s own views.

As with any interview, there were points when Emma challenged where she felt a question had not been fully answered.

We believe she conducted the interview in a duly impartial manner and in line with the rigorous and robust approach that the Today audience would expect from a political interview.