Radio 4 presenter Justin Webb warns BBC presenters against sounding cheerful in interviews

BBC Moderators have to be “careful about sounding enthusiastic” during interviews, Justin Webb said.

The presenter of Radio 4’s Today programme, pictured, said they should have the ‘deception’ to hide the excitement of setting the news agenda as listeners could confuse them with expressions of opinion.

He told Radio 4’s feedback show: “We need to be aware that our excitement about doing our job well doesn’t spill over into a kind of excitement that sounds like we’re just desperate to do everything ‘what happens next, fast and happening on our watch because that’s none of our business.’

The presenter of Radio 4’s Today show, pictured, said they should be “malicious” to hide the excitement of setting the news agenda as listeners could confuse it with expressing opinions

Webb’s comments were in response to a listener who claimed the presenters showed a “note of undiminished glee when ‘the situation grew more difficult for Boris Johnson’ following the sexual misconduct allegations against former Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher.

Revelations in a Today interview contributed to a betrayal of trust in the Prime Minister.

Another listener said he hoped that “BBC reporters and commentators, in their excitement and enthusiasm at having a ringside seat during such dramas, do not lose sight of the fact that such turbulence and instability has been a source of turmoil for many, or most.” of us, at best unsettling and unsettling, are at worst deeply unsettling rather than exciting.”

Mr Webb, 61, referred to today’s last minute interview with Lord MacDonald, who revealed Mr Johnson had been personally briefed on an investigation into a formal complaint of “inappropriate conduct” by Mr Pincher while he was at the Foreign Office in 2019 .

Mr Webb said: “I was delighted he did it at ten past eight, in the best spot and no one else, not for foolish competitive reasons. I hope my excitement hasn’t been communicated, because it certainly shouldn’t have been.

“We live for these things, but the listeners are right too. We should have the ruse to hide it when the moment comes because it’s not what they want to hear and why should it be… it’s absolutely right that we notice.

Webb’s comments were in response to a listener who claimed the presenters showed a “note of undiminished glee when ‘the situation grew more difficult for Boris Johnson’ following the sexual misconduct allegations against former Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher