BBC Breakfast’s Charlie Stayt interrupted Kevin Hollinrake live on air as the Tory Party Chairman called for Angela Rayner’s resignation over claims that she avoided paying tax

Charlie Stayt found himself wading into the Angela Rayner debate on BBC Breakfast this morning as he grilled Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake over “inconsistencies” in his own party.

On Wednesday, Rayner said that she had referred herself to the independent ethics commissioner after mistakenly underpaying stamp duty when she bought an £800,000 flat earlier this summer.

Hollinrake appeared on BBC Breakfast today to call for Rayner’s resignation – however, host Charlie Stayt was quick to point out how former Conservative Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi was allowed to wait until the investigation into his tax affairs had been completed before being sacked.

“Has your party been consistent?” Charlie said. “That’s the decision you took then – why is it different now?” It comes after Angela Rayner sparks explosive GMB row as Kate Garraway and Ed Balls jump to defence.

Kevin Hollinrake called for Angela Rayner to resign

Hollinrake replied: “That’s a matter for the Prime Minister, it was a matter for the Prime Minister at the time who was Rishi Sunak. I’m saying that Angela Rayner’s position ultimately is tenable.”

Charlie then interrupted: “No – my question was about because you raised the issue of consistency, which I think it completely fair. I’m saying to you, do you want to confirm to me that that was the sequence of events? Why in this case are you treating it differently?”

Hollinrake came back by arguing that Rayner herself had called for Zahawai to resign, calling it the “height of hypocrisy” – however, Charlie was quick to jump in again. “No what I’m doing Mr. Hollinrake, what I’m doing is trying to present the inconsistency in your party’s decision-making,” he said.

“You’re absolutely right – she said that when Mr Zahawi was sacked, it should have been done a long time ago, so that is true. But I think what your decision at the time was that the correct thing to do then, regardless of what anyone said, was you see the procedure through and then you make the decision. You seem to be treating this differently.”

Hollinrake denied this, arguing that he’s “very happy” for the Independent Advisor on Ministerial Standards to make a judgement. “My point is Angela Rayner in the same situation called for others to resign,” he said.

As Charlie went to speak again, Kevin said: “No, hang on Charlie. If she’s going to be morally consistent with her own position, that is the point. That’s the hypocrisy here.”

Charlie added: “I’m just trying to be absolutely clear about what your position is this morning. You think she should resign now pending the inquiry and if the inquiry finds her to be not at fault, what? She should be back in post?”

He said: “I don’t see how the inquiry can say she’s not at fault.” Charlie said: “You’re pre-judging it. You don’t have the facts.”

BBC Breakfast turned fiery this morning as presenter Charlie Stayt went head-to-head with Conservative Party chair Richard Holden over the ongoing row surrounding Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner. In a heated exchange, Stayt accused Holden and his party of “hypocrisy” in their handling of the controversy, prompting a tense on-air clash that quickly spilled over onto social media.

The row centred on fresh scrutiny directed at Rayner regarding questions about her tax and property arrangements. Holden, echoing Conservative talking points, argued that the public had a “right to know” whether Labour’s deputy leader had acted transparently. He pressed the issue as evidence of Labour’s double standards, claiming the party demanded accountability from others while dodging difficult questions themselves.

Stayt, however, did not let the Conservative chair’s comments go unchallenged. With his trademark blunt style, the veteran broadcaster interrupted to suggest that the Tories’ own track record on transparency left them in no position to lecture Labour. “Isn’t there a degree of hypocrisy here?” Stayt asked pointedly, citing recent controversies surrounding Conservative MPs and ministers who themselves have faced ethical and financial questions.

The exchange quickly grew tense, with Holden attempting to steer the conversation back toward Rayner while Stayt continued pressing on Conservative failings. At one point, Stayt reminded Holden of the public’s growing frustration with “double standards in politics,” arguing that the electorate was tired of one party pointing fingers at the other while both sides faced their own integrity issues.

Viewers watching the clash at home were quick to weigh in. Some praised Stayt for holding the government to account, commending him for “asking the questions that needed to be asked.” Others accused him of bias, claiming his line of questioning went easier on Labour while piling pressure on the Conservatives. One viewer tweeted: “Charlie Stayt absolutely grilling Richard Holden—this is what political interviews should be.” Another countered: “BBC bias on full display. All heat on the Tories, none on Angela Rayner.”

The fiery moment comes amid heightened political tensions, with both Labour and the Conservatives locked in a war of words ahead of the next general election. Rayner has become a lightning rod for criticism from Tory figures, who argue that questions about her past financial arrangements undermine her credibility. Labour, however, insists the attacks are politically motivated and a distraction from the government’s own record.

For Stayt, the exchange highlighted his reputation as one of the BBC’s more direct interviewers, unafraid to interrupt politicians when they appear to dodge questions. His willingness to challenge Holden on hypocrisy struck a chord with many viewers weary of political spin, though it also reopened the long-running debate about impartiality in broadcast journalism.