Tories accuse Andrew Marr of a 'premeditated' bid to embarrass Priti Patel

Furious Tories have lashed out at BBC presenter Andrew Marr who on Sunday (13) accused home secretary Priti Patel of "laughing" at Brexit fears after she appeared to smirk during their interview.

While talking about industry groups who expressed concern at their future after Brexit, the veteran political presenter stopped mid-flow when he noticed Patel appeared to be smirking.

“I can't see why you are laughing,” he said.

However, Patel remained unflustered and said many of the fears were out of date.

Reacting to the incident, a senior Tory leader told Mail Online that Marr deliberately ambushed Patel.

“She clearly wasn't laughing - anyone can watch the footage back and see that. He wasn't even looking up at the time which suggests this was a premeditated move to generate a bit of publicity,” they said.

A Conservative MP told the publication that Marr seemed to have “forgotten that the British people did actually vote for Brexit.”

Senior backbencher Nigel Evans said: “Part of the problem is that people like Andrew Marr forget that the British people actually voted for Brexit.

“The people who pay the licence fee, the people who pay their taxes, they voted for Brexit.”

He added: “It is called democracy.... Democracy within the BBC is give us the licence fee and we will pump whatever we want at you.”

“It is pointless him berating the Home Secretary for trying to deliver what we promised the British people three years ago we would deliver.”

Tory MP Nadim Zahawi also spoke out in defence of Patel and accused critics of “demonising” her.

He tweeted: “She is neither smiling or laughing.

“I guess some people are so incensed at the thought of a government that is upholding the Democratic will of the people, they are willing to use any means necessary to demonise its Ministers. Maybe Andrew Marr can apologise to Priti Patel now.”

However, Labour MP David Lammy criticised the government for its lack of preparation for life after Brexit.

Lammy wrote on Twitter: “Priti Patel is reminded of her own government's analysis of the disastrous impact of Boris Johnson's proposed Brexit.

“She replies: ‘I don't know which data you're quoting’.

“With people's jobs and livelihoods on the line, this is unforgivable #Marr.”