mad at madeley
‘Despicable and arrogant’ Richard Madeley SLAMMED by GMB fans after row with doctor over 35% pay rise demands
Viewers questioned why Richard was sitting with his arms crossed throughout the interview
RICHARD Madeley has come under fire for his "disgusting" behaviour during a debate about the junior doctor strikes.
The Good Morning Britain star sparked outrage as he told Dr Sumi Manirajan, deputy co-chair of the British Medical Association, that doctors wouldn't win in their current demand for a 35 per cent pay rise.
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Junior doctors returned to the picket lines again today in their pay dispute - their 26th day of strike action.
They will also walk out for six days at the start of January over the inflated pay demands, with critics warning the NHS faces it's worst ever winter due to the walkouts.
Sitting with his arms crossed, Richard told the doctors' chief: “You are not going to get 35%, a lot of people think you deserve it, but you are not going to get that, obviously.
"Average settlements in this country are around 8-8.5% so you are not going to get anywhere near 35%, let’s be realistic.
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"What would you settle for?”
As the guest tried to explain how doctors have suffered long-term pay erosion, Richard interjected: “I am going to ask you a much straighter question and I want you to answer it, if you want to say no comment that’s fine, but let’s have a straight answer. You are not going to get 35%, you know that, what would you settle for?"
Dr Sumi replied: “A credible offer is one that shows the government is serious about addressing the pay erosion we have faced over the last 15 years, is one that the committee thinks is suitable to put to the members."
Richard continued by suggesting a figure to her, which she declined to engage in.
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The conversation got even more heated as Richard questioned the terms on which she would cancel the junior doctor strikes.
Although the medics' strike has been widely criticised for putting patients at risk, some of those watching at home were taken aback by Richard’s attitude throughout.
One person commented: “Disgusting interview @richardm56 treatment of this young woman is despicable.”
A second added: “Disgusting attitude towards her!
"The sheer arrogance in your approach towards the doctors is appalling. They save our lives. They have bills to pay too.
"MPs set for £92k salary. Compare and contrast…”
While a third questioned: “Well well......and how much are you getting paid @richardm56 for sitting behind a desk in such a smug and condescending fashion talking down to people who make life and death decisions every day at work......you Sir are a disgrace at times.”
And another commented: “Why does Madeley have to adopt such an aggressive pose whilst talking to this woman? Not a good look…”
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