Laura Kuenssberg fans 'switch off' in minutes as Brian Cox backs disgraced Angela Rayner

Succession actor Brian Cox has sparked fury as he defended Angela Rayner on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.Fans were left switching off in their droves over the latest line-up as the actor claimed that Rayner failed to pay the right stamp duty on her £800,000 Hove flat because she was "busy dealing with Grenfell". Rayner resigned as Deputy Prime Minister after an ethics report found that she breached the ministerial code after she underpaid by £40,000 in stamp duty on her flat and failed to seek further legal advice on what tax she owed.

Cox also said that both political parties should "stop with the name-calling', as Rayner's resignation has sparked tense words between rival MPs. His comments have sparked fury with BBC viewers, as one said on X: "Brian cox should mention his distaste of vile language in uk politics to his snp comrades! And what on earth does Angela Rayner working on Grenville have anything to do with her stamp duty failing?!"

Another added: "Brian Cox, the tax evaders apologist. Imagine his remarks if it was a senior Tory."

A third chimed in: "Actor Brian Cox has sympathy for Angela Rayner, and wants the 'name calling' from both Parties to stop. Has he forgotten Rayner's scum comment?"

A fourth chimed in: "Brian hasn't the foggiest about stamp duty so.... Tragedy blah blah. Take the blinkers off."

A fifth argued: "Really good point by Brian Cox on #BBCLauraK that Angela Rayner was dealing with incredibly difficult issues like what happens to Grenfell. She was rightly focusing on her job and trying not to be distracted by buying a house, which is hard enough without additional challenges."

Meanwhile, other fans were left switching off as they saw the line-up, which included Labour's Emily Thornberry, Defence Secretary John Healey and Nigel Farage.

One said: "Saw 5mins of @bbclaurak just, couldn't tolerate my own level of swearing turned her off as per usual."

Another added: "Excuse me, @bbclaurak, but where is @ZackPolanski?! I think I'll just keep my TV switched off to save energy then!"

Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg airs Sundays at 9am on BBC1.