THIS is the explosive moment Kemi Badenoch slams Martin Lewis for talking over her during a fiery clash over student loans.
The Tory leader had been discussing repayment plans on Good Morning Britain when the interview was gate-crashed by the money expert.
Ms Badenoch was initially being quizzed by hosts Ed Balls and Suzanna Reid over her party’s plans to reform the repayment system this morning.
But the trio were visibly taken aback when Mr Lewis unexpectedly stormed onto set to grill the opposition leader over the policy.
The TV star interrupted the interview, calling on Ms Badenoch to focus on increasing the salary threshold at which repayments start.
During the fiery debate, she found herself involved in a shouting match with former Labour minister Mr Balls and the money expert.
Read more on student loans
Ms Badenoch snapped: “If you want us to have a debate I’m very happy for us to have a debate.
“I think people need to know what it is I am talking about, you’re both talking over me, excuse me, let me explain what my policy is.”
Mr Balls then apologised to the Tory leader, before she continued to defend the policy and even offered to discuss options with Mr Lewis.
She added: ‘I want to make sure that those young people who are paying and paying and their debt is not going down get a relief.
“If you think there is a better offer, let’s look at it.
“The whole student loan system is not working properly and someone has to do something.”
Viewers were quick to slam the “ambush” on ITV‘s flagship breakfast programme.
Writing on social media, one said: “I really felt sorry for Kemi in my opinion.
“Ed was a disgrace how he interviewed Kemi he was like a bully boy and wrong that both him and Martin talked over her.
“Ed should not interview other politicians he is clearly biased. On the other hand Kemi stayed firm and didn’t buckle.”
Another wrote: “UK TV has really hit a low when this kind of behaviour has become acceptable. What happened to manners?”
And a third added: “Ambushing, shouting and screaming at people is not a solution.”
The Tory leader is looking at help for graduates who started at university between 2012 and 2023, and are on controversial “plan 2 student loans”.
Those earning at least £28,470 must repay nine per cent of their income above that level, which critics have called a tax on aspiration.
It is understood Ms Badenoch wants to seize the issue as a vote-winner while rivals avoid it.
A full debt wipe is unlikely, but there could be a cut in interest or a repayment cap.
A Tory source told The Sun: “This is about who we stand for as Conservatives under Kemi.
“Labour are spending more on benefits for people to sit at home on their backside, while punishing people in work who want to get on.”
The Chancellor froze the threshold beyond which graduates must pay back their student loan at £29,385 until 2030 in the Budget.
Labour has come under fire as the measure will force millions of graduates to hand over more of their salary in student loan repayments.
Meanwhile, those who graduated between 2012 and July 2023 are paying an average of 10% of their salary a year in loan charges.
This also includes paying interest of up to 6.2%.
The Treasury has previously insisted that it will not U-turn on the terms of the loan.
But Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has warned that she wants “fairer” arrangements for graduates.
The interest on the loan is currently charged at the rate of Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation plus up to 3%, depending on the graduate’s salary.
But the Tories have pledged to limit this to RPI only.
