Financial crisis: David Dimbleby uses rare on-air explosives about ‘mini-budget’ as former ` Question Time producer slams Liz Truss’ tax plans

The former Question Time moderator said the “massive change” announced by the UK government at a time when the public was being forced to make difficult decisions had come as “a complete storm” for some people.

It comes less than two weeks after Dimbleby came out of retirement to host the `’s coverage of the Queen’s admission to Windsor Castle.

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Truss and Kwarteng meet with OBR amid market turmoil as ONS says UK economy is…David Dimbleby with the Special Recognition Award in the press room at the National Television Awards 2019, at the O2 Arena, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION PHOTO. Picture date: Tuesday January 22, 2019. See PA story SHOWBIZ NTAs. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire

During Thursday’s episode of the station’s Newscast podcast, host Adam Fleming told him: “I should make it clear you don’t work for the `, you really are free to speak.”

Dimbleby replied: “I think it’s extraordinary. I thought the win was interesting, Liz Truss became Prime Minister.

“We’ve known her quite well over the years at Question Time and it was quite an eye-opener when she became Prime Minister.

“But I’ve never seen anything so melodramatic.

“I think it’s getting up because I’m thinking something [Chancellor] Kwasi Kwarteng announced a massive change.

“This 45 percent tax that suddenly drops to 40 at a time when people are actually already deciding whether to buy a sweater and not turn on the heating … we can’t have a hot meal and heat our houses and stuff like that at the same time continues.”

In last week’s ‘mini-budget’, the Chancellor said the top rate of income tax, the 45 per cent rate on earnings over £150,000, would be scrapped entirely.

Mr. Kwarteng also confirmed plans to remove the cap on bankers’ bonuses.

“It just seems extraordinary and I mean it’s a complete s**tstorm for people who are actually trying to sell overseas or here,” Dimbleby told the Newscast.

His language led Fleming to exclaim: “You’ve definitely left the `, haven’t you?”, while co-host Jo Coburn assured listeners it was Britain’s turning point after 9pm.

Dimbleby withdrew from Question Time in 2018, handing the reins to Fiona Bruce.

He has since helped produce a number of ` programs before attending the Queen’s State Funeral – following in his father Richard Dimbleby’s footsteps.