A debate on the media lobby walk out of a Downing Street press briefing on Monday descended into a heated row between former Downing Street Director of Politics and Communications Craig Oliver and BBC radio host Emma Barnett. The pair also clashed over the lack of response from Government Minister’s following the Streatham terrorist attack over the weekend. The row began to escalate when Mr Oliver complained Ms Barnett was oversimplifying complex issues of Government protocol and moving away from the issues the listeners cared about.

Ms Barnett said: “The Streatham terrorist attack over the weekend resulted in no Government Ministers really going out and doing broadcasts.

“I think that isn’t a great thing.

“It is not a great situation to get your self in when there is a terrorist attack in the country.

“Whose fault is that? Well, obviously it is up to the Government to decide whether or not they are going to put people up.”

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Ms Barnett then interrupted again to insist that people did not know what the phrase “put people up” meant.

She added: “Put people up could mean all sorts of things outside of the world of journalism and politics.”

Mr Oliver hit back: “Emma, come on.

“It is pretty obvious, to put people up means to put them up for an interview.

“If you want to explain and interrupt me and make that point, that is absolutely fine.”

Seemingly becoming frustrated, Ms Barnett replied: “You are a former member of the BBC.

“You have been around countless tables that I have been around.

“You have heard people say please explain phrases when you say them but yes, please carry on.”

Mr Oliver let out a loud sigh and answered: “This interview has gone in a strange direction, Emma.

“I am trying to explain to you that this is a bit more complicated than you might think.

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“And also, as an impartial journalist who is trying to help people understand it, you might also explain that there is a different side to this in terms of why our Government operates the way they do in terms of journalists.

“I am simply trying to say to you this is probably a more complicated situation than you are representing it as.

“It is very easy to stand up and shout about the defences of freedom or whatever.

“When actually I expect what happened in Downing Street is slightly more complicated.”

The BBC radio host then insisted she had shown the other side of the argument in her introduction to the item.

The pair continued to argue over interrupting one another during the interview and what listeners would be interested in hearing.

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