Stuttering Yvette Cooper says 'I don't know numbers' as she's torn apart on LBC

Yvette Cooper has said she cannot give a figure on how many Channel migrants will be returned to France under the new one-in, one-out deal agreed with Emmanuel Macron, the French president during a live interview with Nick Ferrari on LBC. The Home Secretary admitted she "doesn't know the numbers" during a heated exchange on Friday. She explained the plan will be developed in a "step by step" way to avoid the mistakes of the Rwanda scheme. But Nick quizzed the politician as he pushed on whether the number of migrants returned to France be "fewer than 50" but Yvette was unable to give a definitive figure.

In a clip shared on LBC's X account the caption read: "It was reported that 50 migrants could be deported each week under the new UK-France deal, but after speaking to the Home Secretary, @NickFerrariLBC isn't so sure." Speaking on the programme, Yvette said: "We're not actually fixing the ultimate numbers, either in the first phase of the pilot or in subsequent phases of the pilot." Nick interjected: "So it could be fewer than 50?"

The Labour politician began to stutter, as she explained: "We need to get this started and we need to build this overtime."

The video then went back to her previous answer earlier in the interview about migrants being sent back to France.

Nick had earlier asked: "So it could be fewer than 50 if the number is not fixed."

She replied: "Well, we will start this and we will grow this. That's the approach we will take and that's the approach and that's why we've not fixed numbers."

Nick commented: "Right, so lastly, Home Secretary, it could be fewer than 50, the answer which is, yes."

"Nick, what you're trying to do is getting me to play in...," Yvette responded but was interrupted by the host, "You were the one saying the numbers are not fixed. So it could be fewer than 50?"

Yvette went on to say she does not want to "speculate on the numbers" and added she is more focused on "developing [the pilot] over time".

She also explained not oversharing the details because the "smuggler gangs could find ways around it".

Commentators reacted to the awkward exchange, as GB News' Patrick Christys tweeted: "Ferrari's never had it so easy, has he? What a run he's on at the moment!"

Another fumed: "Thing is, she says 'develop this over time', the UK doesn't have the luxury of time." While a third added: "Absolutely useless."