Viewers of BBC Breakfast were left switching off a “car crash” interview with Chancellor Rachel Reeves as they fumed that the “toe-curling” segment provided no challenge to the Labour minister. Business reporter Peter Ruddick was interviewing Reeves – who, it has been suggested, could be demoted within her party if Andy Burnham becomes PM – about Keir Starmer’s resignation.

He quizzed her: “A few raised eyebrows in Westminster this week, when you weren’t in Downing Street to see the prime minister’s resignation statement, but you were in Westminster a few hours later, in Westminster Hall, to have a selfie with Andy Burnham then. Where were you watching the statement, the prime minister’s statement?”

Reeves ignored the question entirely and instead replied: “I don’t think anyone can doubt my commitment to the prime minister. I’ve been by his side for six years now as shadow Chancellor and then as Chancellor of the Exchequer. I’ve been there every step of the way and making the decisions to turn around our economy.”

Viewers branded the whole thing a disaster, with one ranting on X: “WATCH Rachel Reeves squirm as BBC Breakfast puts her on the spot for abandoning Starmer and jumping straight into bed with Burnham. In a toe-curling moment, the Chancellor was directly challenged [and], visibly uncomfortable, completely ignored the question.”

They went on: “Oh Rachel, that’s exactly why people are questioning your ‘commitment’. In his worst moment as PM you abandoned him and you know it. It’s not just that you didn’t show up but the fact you jumped straight onto team Burnham!

“Another disingenuous Westminster snake who legs it the second the sh** hits the fan.”

Another viewer penned: “Simple question and she still avoids answering. When will they realise that this is part of the problem – just answer a direct question!”

Somebody else fumed: “Surprised you didn’t press her on why she wasn’t there or where was she instead.”

“How can the interviewers let her get away with that?” a fourth moaned.