The BBC presenter has not pleased listeners.
The tense debate was about the Royal Family (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
A tense debate on the Royal Family and the Sovereign Grant has caught the attention of royal fans this morning, sparking backlash online. Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-monarchist campaign group Republic, appeared on the BBC Radio 4 Today show to complain about the Sovereign Grant and the fact it had increased annually.
While the grant was recently increased to provide extra money to help with the upkeep of royal buildings such as Buckingham Palace, to help strengthen cyber security, and to invest in green energy, Smith claimed that it was unnecessary for this to have happened. Smith also tried to make several points to support his argument, including that the Sovereign Grant is expensive and that no one is willing to challenge it. Smith also tried to argue that Buckingham Palace is not among the top-most popular attractions in the UK anymore, and that there is “no justification” for the funding that is currently being given.
He also argued that other tourist attractions do not receive funding like this.
When Smith said: “If you look at the Irish president who does a very similar role, it’s about 4 or 5 million pounds a year.”
Barnett then slammed: “No disrespect but no one’s coming to visit, or have tourism around the Irish president, in a similar way.”
He then said the money is not needed to fund the monarchy which “cuts ribbons”. Barnett then said: “That’s not what it’s on though.” When he tried to make another comment, she said “no, no, no”.
However, as he tried to make his points, he was interrupted a number of times by the BBC Radio 4 Today presenter Emma Barnett kept disagreeing with his points. There were also several occasions when the presenter spoke over him.
This has resulted in some backlash on X, with one person saying: “With Graham Smith of ‘Republic’, Barnett’s tone was argumentative and dismissive. Once again, it was like overhearing a row at a party, not listening to an interview.”
Someone else said: “Dreadful interview of Graham Smith by Emma Barnett. Interrupting and talking over him with her own point of view.”
Another person commented: “Normally, they want guests to answer questions. She did everything she could to prevent him from speaking, let alone answering! Utterly shocking.”
Someone else added: “Disgraceful. Don’t invite an interviewee if you don’t want to let them give their point of view!”
Another listener said: “A Republican was objecting to the millions we give to the Royal Family for a few foreign visits and cutting some ribbons – she defended them vociferously, then rudely cut him short.”
The BBC has been contacted for comment.