Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley made a surprising career admission during Wednesday’s show, following a discussion about Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds’ recent controversy.
The MP has been accused of exaggerating his CV by claiming to be a solicitor when he was actually a trainee.
Co-host Charlotte Hawkins revealed that Jonathan had occasionally dropped the term ‘trainee’ when describing his work, reports the Manchester Evening News.
A 2014 clip showed Jonathan stating: “Before the last election, I’ve worked as a solicitor in Manchester City Centre. I would travel into Manchester for what is now my constituency.”
Richard pointed out: “Well, he didn’t you see, he wasn’t qualified, he was a trainee.”
Former Shadow Secretary of State Jonathan Ashworth attempted to defend him, explaining that the MP did work at a solicitor’s firm, albeit as a trainee, saying: “He was doing law-related work-“
However, Charlotte interrupted, emphasizing: “Come on! A solicitor, it’s different. It’s a legally protected title, isn’t it?”
Richard then jumped to his defense, sharing a personal anecdote, adding: “I’m sorry. I feel a degree of sympathy for him, which I didn’t particularly feel for the chancellor and her enhanced CV.
“I look back at my training days, I was a trainee journalist for three years, on an official training course. At the end of it, after three years, you took an exam and you passed then you were a qualified journalist.
“I never took that exam. I was too busy with a news story on the day that I was meant to sit it. I call myself a journalist but I’m not a qualified journalist, but effectively, I am.”
Charlotte highlighted the distinction, pointing out that Richard could perform his role without certain qualifications, unlike solicitors.
When he questioned: “Don’t you think it was a slip of the tongue?” she firmly responded: “No, I just think you can’t call yourself a solicitor if you’re not.”
Good Morning Britain continues weekdays on ITV from 6am.