University of Northampton Journalism students land exclusive interview with BBC’s Eddie Mair

Eddie Mair, who is standing in on Andrew Marr’s programme while Andrew Marr is recovering from a stroke, interviewed London Mayor Boris Johnson last Sunday. Eddie confronted Boris Johnson about claims he made up quotes while working for The Times, and lied to the Conservative party leader about having an affair. Eddie also asked Boris about his refusal to discuss whether he’d like to be the next Prime Minister, to which Boris replied: “I don’t want to talk about this”.

The BBC declined all requests for interviews with Eddie Mair in the wake of the programme, but four University of Northampton students managed to interview him over breakfast during a visit to the BBC Television Studios in London.

Eddie Mair commented that the TV interview had put Boris in a very different light: “I think we made him think a little, or at least slightly unsettled him from his usual very measured and very confident performance… it was about trying to examine other aspects of his past and character.”

The students; Cali Sullivan, Zi Patel-Champion, Catherine Wilson and Carissa Jumu, were accompanied in London by Subject Leader for Journalism and Broadcast Journalism John Mair, who said: “I am delighted for this group of enterprising first year journalists. They delivered a world scoop. Journalism is where it all now happens at the University of Northampton. Join us.”

The students’ interview with Eddie Mair has been published by The Press Association and appeared in The Guardian.For video, click here.