‘Too old and too fat’ Piers Morgan skewers Therese Coffey on why UK has highest death rate

Piers Morgan grilled Thérèse Coffey after she suggested that Britain’s ageing population and level of obesity led to the worst Covid-related death rate in the world. Recent Oxford University research showed that the UK currently has the highest daily coronavirus death rate in the world. Piers Morgan accused the Government’s Work and Pensions Secretary of suggesting the UK population was “too old and too fat”.

The Good Morning Britain host said: “Can you explain why we currently have the worst death rate in the world?

“And can you explain why we have one of the highest death tolls in the world?

“If we did everything right, how have we ended up here?”

Ms Coffey said: “We have been learning throughout this process, working with scientific advisors on taking the appropriate policies.” 

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She continued: “There will be a variety of reasons why people, unfortunately, have died.

“Some of that will be recognising the age of our population, some of that will be recognising the obesity of our population.”

Piers responded: “Just to clarify, I applaud you for giving us some reasons.

GMB co-host Susanne Reid added: “That is the first time we have heard a government minister settle on a couple of explanations.”

Piers hit back: “You just said it!”

Ms Coffey added: “I’m conscious there will be a variety of factors that have led to people sadly being ill during this time, sadly that translating into deaths.”

Shortly after this exchange, the Conservative MP walked out of the interview, prompting a social media frenzy. 

Ms Coffey said: “I wish we had more time, but we were meant to start at 8:15.

“Piers I’m sorry, I’m going to have to go. You’ve already had 20 minutes of my time, I appreciate your time as well. Thank you, goodbye.”

GMB later tweeted: “Therese Coffey accused Piers Morgan of being insulting for repeating her words that the UK’s worst global death rate is due to the age and obesity of the population.”

Susanne Reid also pointed out that Boris Johnson himself said weight was a factor after he recovered from Covid.