Justice Secretary Robert Buckland storms off GMB interview after grilling over amber list rules

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland stormed off during an interview with Good Morning Britain after he received a grilling over the Government’s amber list rules.

The Cabinet Minister abruptly ended the interview with presenters Ranvir Singh and Kate Garraway live on air this morning after claiming he could not ‘get a word in edgeways’.

Mr Buckland got immediately to his feet before walking out of shot with a Pret A Manger coffee cup in hand.

It comes after ministers were accused of issuing contradictory messages that have left holidaymakers and travel chiefs begging for clarity.

Boris Johnson himself insisted families should visit medium-risk destinations only in ‘extreme circumstances’ and not for holidays but said such trips should be for ‘pressing’ family or business reasons only.  

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland stormed off during an interview with Good Morning Britain after he received a grilling over the Government’s amber list rules 

Kate Garraway began by relaying the plight of thousands of holidaymakers who had booked trips to countries that now fall within the amber list.

Mr Buckland responded by saying: ‘I think the important point that the amber list offers is indeed those necessary journeys either because a family members is very ill or close to death or someone who has died…’

Ms Garraway then cuts in to add: ‘There can’t be 270,000 necessary journeys and that’s still not answering the point.’

She then reiterates her original statements once again as Mr Buckland listens and nods along respectfully.

The host then says: ‘What is the clarity? What is the point of the amber list?’ 

Mr Buckland responds: ‘Well as I’ve said the amber list does allow for necessary journeys if you’re working or if there is a really pressing family commitment that can’t be put back.

‘I think, therefore, that it is right to have it – rather than a binary system of either red or green – you’ve got that middle tier that does allow for at least some essential travel with then the requirement to isolate at the end of it…’

The Cabinet Minister abruptly ended the interview with presenters Ranvir Singh and Kate Garraway live on air this morning after claiming he could not ‘get a word in edgeways’

Mr Buckland got immediately to his feet before walking out of shot with a Pret A Manger coffee cup in hand 

Ranvir Singh then cuts in: ‘I think its a complete neglect of reality. It’s hiding behind policy and hiding behind words.’

Mr Buckland seems to let out a bemused scoff as he shuffles in his seat as Ms Singh continues: ‘It’s not truly looking at the reality of the next five days.’

She hurriedly concludes: ‘We shall have to leave it there because we have asked you several times to explain the relevance of the amber list and people at home can decide whether they are satisfied with the answers.’ 

Mr Buckland then bites back and says: ‘Well if I could get a word in edgeways I would have given the answers, thanks.’

But Ms Singh snaps: ‘Well you’ve had a full interview sir, so thank you for joining us on the show.’

The cameras continue to roll as the minister then stands up with his coffee cup and headed off screen.

Ms Garraway then says ‘he’s off’ repeatedly before the segment comes to an end.  

On Monday the outright ban on foreign travel was replaced by a green, amber and red traffic light system grading different countries by their Covid risk level.  

But amid concern over foreign variants, ministers then announced that no one should holiday in an amber country even if they quarantined on their return.   

Around five million Britons have booked amber list breaks this summer, leaving them in limbo over whether to cancel or re-book and hope their destination makes the green list.

Analysis has since revealed around 1,300 flights have been scheduled, carrying up to 54,000 passengers a day to ‘amber list’ destinations including Spain, Greece, France and Italy in the days leading up to Sunday, the Telegraph reports.  

Contradictory messages have left holidaymakers and travel chiefs begging for clarity, and confusion reigned earlier this week when two Cabinet ministers suggested leisure breaks and visits to family and friends would be acceptable. 

Adding to the chaos health minister Lord Bethell claimed all holidays abroad were ‘dangerous’.

Seven of the 10 largest British tour operators are making the most of the confusion over travel guidance and are flying holidaymakers to areas deemed safe for non-essential travel despite being on the ‘amber list’.

The seven companies flying to amber destinations between now and the start of June are TUI, BA, Easyjet, Expedia, Lastminute.com, Virgin and Travel Republic, according to consumer group Which?