Writer Will Self and Tory MP Mark Francois appeared to nearly come to blows on Friday afternoon over the only thing British people seem to argue about anymore – Brexit of course.
Appearing on BBC 2′s Politics Live, writer and critic Will Self claimed that you don’t “have to be a racist or an anti-Semite to vote for Brexit, it’s just that every racist or anti-Semite in the country did”.
Francois responded with outrage, saying the comment was a “slur on 17.4 million people”.
The conversation quickly escalated, with Francois becoming evermore incensed and Self seeming to enjoy every second of it, ending with a staring contest in which no one came out looking like a winner.
FRANCOIS: “I think you should apologise on national television. I think that’s an outrageous thing to say.”
SELF: “Oh well, you seem to find a lot of things outrageous though don’t you?”
FRANCOIS: “Are you saying that 17.4 million people are racists and bigots because they voted for Brexit?”
SELF: “No, that’s not what I said.”
FRANCOIS: “That’s pretty close to what you said.”
SELF: “It’s not remotely what I said.”
FRANCOIS: “What exactly are you saying?”
SELF: “You seem to be a little exercised sir.”
FRANCOIS: “Well, because I’m offended.”
SELF: “What I said was every racist and anti-Semite, pretty much probably voted for Brexit.”
FRANCOIS: “How do you know that in a secret ballot?”
SELF: “I don’t know it but I suspect it.”
FRANCOIS: “I think you should apologise.”
SELF: “To who? To racists and anti-Semites?”
After host Jo Coburn intervened the two men settled into what may be one of the longest impromptu staring contests ever broadcast on live TV.
And here’s the full clip for your viewing pleasure.