Delegates on our media training courses often want to know if we are going to put them through a fierce Jeremy Paxman style interview.
For some, it is a fear. Others regard it as a challenge and want to see whether they could emerge from such a combative interview unscathed.
A journalist with a similar reputation for rottweiler interrogations and uncomfortable interviews is John Humphrys, a presenter on Radio 4’s flagship Today programme.
His interviews are often laced with cynicism, sarcasm, opinions and frequent interruptions – all of which can push even the most experienced of spokespeople off their stride.
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Listening to the programme this morning there were examples of these traits. And one spokesperson produced a great example of not only emerging from this type of combative interview unscathed but also with their reputation enhanced (You can hear it here at 2:10).
Simon Coveney, the Irish Deputy Prime Minister, appeared on the programme to discuss Brexit and whether a date will be set for a summit next month to finalise the terms of the UK’s withdrawal agreement.
I don’t know whether he has ever been interviewed by Mr Humphrys before, but he did not appear daunted.
He sounded calm, assured, reasoned and articulate. And he was not afraid to push back and lock horns with his inquisitor.
Early on he told Mr Humphry’s ‘well John, I’m afraid you are wrong about that’ after the presenter had suggested that part of the UK’s withdrawal which had been already been agreed could still be negotiated.
When the journalist suggested that proposals would effectively keep Northern Ireland in the EU, he started by saying ‘well, John let me please correct you on that – no-one is suggesting that Northern Ireland stays in the European Union.” These positive rebuttals might not come across as well in print, so it is worth stating that the tone of voice was well judged and it didn't appear condescending or aggressive.
And when this argument was pushed and Mr Humphry’s brought Boris Johnson’s views into the argument it led to this memorable exchange:
Humphrys: "Certainly a lot of people in this country are suggesting, including Boris Johnson and David Davis, you know who they are, that Parliament is deeply divided on this issue."
Coveney: “Johnson doesn’t lead the cabinet. He’s not even in the cabinet.
Humphrys: “He’s still a very powerful force of public opinion.
Coveney: “Well John, you sound like you are speaking for him.”
On our media training courses, we tell delegates not to criticise the question they have been asked because it can show frustration and unease about where the interview is going. And that in turn can cause the journalist to probe further.
But here the question was dismantled without showing any exasperation. If anything it appeared to be the journalist who was getting annoyed.
Later on we saw a great example of how to handle constant interruptions from a journalist as the Irish politician stopped Mr Humphys, saying ‘no John, let me finish because this is important’, before going back to his response.
This was good because not only did it allow him to continue with the answer, but it also won him some sympathy from the audience by pointing out that he is facing regular interruptions. Again, importantly, the tone of voice was right and there was no hint of anger or annoyance.
At the end, Mr Coveney was asked whether ultimately a wall would have to be built across Ireland. What I liked here was the lengthy pause, presumably to prepare his thoughts about this probably unexpected question, before denying that would happen and steering the conversation away.
In my view, Mr Coveney coped expertly with this interview. It would have been very easy for this to have become a heated exchange, but he avoided that trap.
And it wasn’t just me who was impressed and felt he had won the battle. The Daily Express report on the interview said ‘Humphrys loses plot with Irish politician’ while social media users shared similar views.
When the Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland accuses - fairly & accurately - John Humphrys of being a spokesman for Boris Johnson you have to wonder how low @BBCr4today has to go before action is taken.
— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) October 17, 2018
Simon Coveney v impressive on #r4today - spelling out for John Humphreys the realities of Brexit for Ireland north and south, and particularly the responsibilities of the UK in that regard.
— Dr Nick Wright (@NickWrightYAPJ) October 17, 2018
...and reminding him that Boris Johnson isn't actually a member of the government.
Simon Coveney played a blinder with Humphrys on the Today programme re the border and Brexit.
— Fí Ó Flannagáin🍷📚🌿 (@_RedFi) October 17, 2018
Powerful and articulate, it’s a pity no one in Britain can speak with such gravitas about the importance of the backstop and the responsibility to protect the Good Friday Agreement.
Tele is bust so have had to listen to Today. Humphreys tried to take on Simon Coveney. Humphreys has to show off citing Johnson FFS and well put into his place by Coveney. Humphreys came up with rubbish like building a wall across Ireland. 1-0 Coveney 🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— Victoria Deakin (@vldcym) October 17, 2018
Mr Humphrys’ critics will suggest this is evidence his long run in the Today studio should come to an end.
As media trainers, we simply see it as a case study in how to survive an interview with a journalist who intrigues our delegates.
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