‘Oh s***!’ Robert Peston makes hilarious gaffe when he doesn’t realise he is being broadcast to the nation during Rishi Sunak’s coronavirus press conference
- The Chancellor asked for questions from journalists at today’s press conference
- Peston appears to be having technical difficulties at home and says ‘oh sh**’
- Social media users found the mistake hilarious and compared it to their own difficulties working from home
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
ITV journalist Robert Peston appeared to swear this afternoon when he didn’t realise he was being broadcast to the nation during Rishi Sunak’s press conference.
The Chancellor had just outlined his package of support for the self-employed when he asked for questions from journalists, alongside Dr Jenny Harries, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer.
Mr Sunak said ‘Could I turn next to Robert Peston from ITV.’ But Mr Peston appeared to be having trouble with his home video link and doesn’t realise the Chancellor and Dr Harries could hear him when he says ‘oh sh**’…hello.’
An unflustered Mr Sunak responded ‘good afternoon Robert’, and Mr Peston blamed the poor connection at his home for the confusion, saying it ‘isn’t terribly stable’.
Social media users found the gaffe by the veteran journalist – best known for his work during the 2008 financial crisis – hilarious.
On Twitter Professor Mark Wetherell said: ”oh sh**’ Peston experiencing the same issues as everyone else trying to join virtual meetings.’
A user called Ryan Love declared that Peston ‘wins the daily press briefing!’
And Katie McNulty declared ‘We are all Peston.’
At the press conference Mr Sunak revealed that self-employed workers will be able to claim support worth 80% of their average monthly profits in an ‘unprecedented’ move to cover the impact of coronavirus.
The Chancellor said the move – worth up to a maximum of £2,500 a month – would cover 95% of self-employed workers.
The package comes after the Government came under sustained pressure as its initial package of financial support only covered employees.
Mr Sunak said: ‘To support those who work for themselves, today I am announcing a new self-employed income support scheme.
‘The Government will pay self-employed people who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus a taxable grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits over the last three years, up to £2,500 a month.’