CNN’s Christiane Amanpour berated a pro-Brexit British politician for nine minutes this week, scoffing at her guest as she accused him of holding positions he said he has never held.
Amanpour, who linked the U.K. vote to xenophobia five times during her Brexit coverage last week, was so aggressive with Daniel Hannan, a conservative member of the European Parliament and enthusiastic supporter of the U.K.’s decision to withdraw from the European Union, that their exchange seemed more like an interrogation or political row than an interview.
It was contentious almost immediately, starting with CNN’s star accusing Hannan of “stepping back” from previous positions when he said in their exchange that a “more gradual and more phased repatriation of power” may be the best way to go following the Brexit vote.
“What have I stepped back from?” the British MEP asked.
Amanpour offered no citation and continued forward instead, repeating her earlier assertion that the leave vote was motivated primarily by xenophobia and “white identity” politics.
“Listen … the reason people voted, the majority of them, and I can play you what was said, was to stop immigration into this country,” Amanpour said.
Hannan, who is a weekly columnist for the Washington Examiner, asked again for her to point out where he had “stepped back” from his previously stated positions.
She again declined.
“Would you agree then that the Leave campaign’s main objective, in terms of sovereignty, was to stop the free movement [of people]?” Amanpour asked.
She then asked if it’s possible for immigration in the U.K. to go unchecked by Parliament after the Brexit vote.
Hannan responded, “That would be a decision for Parliament. That’s how democracy works.”
“You have got to be kidding me!” the anchor said. “This whole thing was run on immigration.”
“You guys have been shouting ‘racist!’ so long you weren’t listening to what we’ve actually been saying!” Hannan retorted.
“You retract that right now!” Amanpour demanded. “Did I say that? Did I say that?”
It went on like that for some time, with the anchor repeatedly asking Hannan to answer for statements she attributed to him but did not cite.
Spokespersons for CNN did not respond to the Washington Examiner‘s request for comment.
