Isabel Oakeshott, a Divisive but Impressive Interviewee
The publication in The Telegraph last week, of a series of stories based on Matt Hancock’s WhatsApp messages, is a very addictive and divisive subject for those of us that consider ourselves journalists.
On the one hand it is an enormous scoop. Whatever you think about how the information came into the public domain, the content is dynamite for people who lost loved ones during the pandemic, or had to say goodbye to mothers, fathers, brothers, etc. on Facetime. Or indeed, for people who were running care homes in impossible circumstances, or those that worked in care homes without PPE, because none was available.
One interesting piece by Julia Hartley-Brewer in The Telegraph tackles the question of why journalists have turned on Oakeshott. After suggesting the journalists got it wrong campaigning for more restriction and more lockdowns Hartley-Brewer concludes:
Perhaps if, instead of sitting smugly at home for months on end enjoying their freshly baked sourdough while the country’s finances, physical and mental health were all systematically destroyed, those journalists had done their job properly, then Isabel Oakeshott wouldn’t have to do it for them now.
For me, as an interviewee, Oakeshott is impressive. Her arguments are incredibly consistent. Her prepared lines on why she did what she did, on the financial incentive, on the betrayal of News International (for whom she worked but gave the scoop to The Telegraph) are all logical and well-constructed.
What’s more, she is prepared to take the flak
Asked why, she says because ‘it is in the public interest’.
Asked why she wrote the book with Hancock – Pandemic Diaries: The Inside Story of Britain’s Battle Against Covid – which appears to exonerate Hancock – and then a few months later work with The Telegraph to deliver a completely different story … she says she did not have time to read all the WhatsApp messages before the publication date. And the book was based on Hancock’s diaries and his version of events. It was only later that she realised that the WhatsApp messages told a very different story.
Oakeshott has repeatedly refused to speak excessively against Matt Hancock, saying the issue is bigger than just his actions.
She also repeatedly says that if we rely on the public enquiry …the best way to look at these things…we will wait a decade or more, and there could be another pandemic tomorrow.
So, the messaging is good, and her consistent toughness is remarkable
But she behaved in a very bitchy way on Times Radio in an interview with Cathy Newman and then terminated the call… And she was clearly rattled and not at her best in an interview with Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4‘s Today Programme.
But having listened to ten-plus interviews on the WhatsApp messages I feel differently.
I have a grudging respect for a woman prepared to walk into the lion’s den of a divisive political issue, with a clear argument, some clear red lines and the guts to face down the critics.
The Media Coach provides media and presentation training sessions and can also help with messaging, podcasting training and speechwriting. Get in touch via enquires@themediacoach.co,uk. More information on our website: themediacoach.co.uk
Lindsay Williams is based in London but runs training sessions in multiple time zones, including the US, Europe, Africa and Asia, working online or travelling to host small and large scale training events. With 20 years of experience as a communications consultant with corporations and international organisations, Lindsay also runs Personal Impact Training and Pitching Via Zoom courses.
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