Ian Hislop has revealed the "very extraordinary moment" that former Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith broke down in tears in front of him.

Ad

The Have I Got News For You panellist was interviewing the Tory politician for a new BBC documentary, Workers or Shirkers? Ian Hislop's Victorian Benefits, when Duncan Smith cried on camera.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc5-tWfmSb4

"It was a curious thing," Hislop said in the new issue of Radio Times magazine. "IDS actually broke down. He wept in front of me. It was a very extraordinary moment."

104826

The documentary is scheduled to air this Thursday 7 April on BBC2. In the interview, Duncan Smith recounts meeting a 19-year-old woman who had given up hope of working. Wiping away tears, he says that the woman reminded him of his daughter.

Hislop said that he did not try to comfort the politician, explaining, "No, I just watched him cry. We're sitting in the Department for Work and Pensions talking about his desire desire to increase the lot of those without any privileges or start in life and he starts welling up."

Duncan Smith resigned from the Cabinet in March, saying that the planned cuts to disability benefits were "indefensible".

Read the full interview with Ian Hislop in the new issue of Radio Times magazine, in shops and on the Apple Newsstand from Tuesday 5th April. And read the tribute to comedy great Ronnie Corbett, featuring exclusive photographs and much more.

Ad

104824

Comments, questions and tips

Rate this recipe

What is your star rating out of 5?

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Overall rating

Ad
Ad
Ad
Create an image depicting a festive scene with elements from the top Christmas songs, such as a snowy New York for 'Fairytale of New York', a cozy home setting for 'Last Christmas', and a glamorous Christmas party for 'All I Want for Christmas Is You'. Include musical notes and festive decorations to represent the spirit of these iconic Christmas songs.

RT offer

Immediate’s iconic brands reach 21m people every month – that’s more than a third of the UK’s adults – through its world-class magazines, innovative digital products and exciting live events

hello
An image depicting a festive scene with iconic Christmas elements such as a beautifully decorated Christmas tree with twinkling lights, snow gently falling, and perhaps a cozy fireplace in the background. The image should capture the essence of popular Christmas songs, with musical notes and lyrics subtly included in the design, representing a playlist of classic Christmas tunes.

summer

Immediate’s iconic brands reach 21m people every month – that’s more than a third of the UK’s adults – through its world-class magazines, innovative digital products and exciting live eventsImmediate’s iconic brands reach 21m people every month – that’s more than a third of the UK’s adults – through its world-class magazines, innovative digital products and exciting live eventsImmediate’s iconic brands reach 21m people every month – that’s more than a third of the UK’s adults – through its world-class magazines, innovative digital products and exciting live events

More