Piers Morgan’s ferocious TV maulings of government ministers over coronavirus ‘actually makes them more popular’

But government insiders say that private focus groups carried out by No10 aides on broadcast appearances reveal viewers take ministers’ side during them.

Piers’s interrogations are seen by them as “unreasonable” and so sympathy for their argument soars.

A Cabinet source said: “He doesn’t know it, but Piers is doing us a big favour.

“Every time he gets shouty at ministers, the public generally takes their side.

“That’s why we keep sending ministers on in front of him.”

A government insider also claimed ITV’s breakfast show mutes ministers when Mr Morgan is barracking them via video link so they can’t interrupt his tirades.

But GMB furiously denied that allegation tonight, calling it “categorically untrue”.

Ofcom received 2,000 complaints about the controversial TV presenter’s grilling of Care Minister Helen Whately last week amid claims he “bullied” the MP on air.

Mr Morgan took to Twitter to appeal to fans for support to combat the charges.

Piers told The Sun tonight: “I am pleased to see Government ministers appearing regularly on the programme, especially during a crisis of this magnitude.

“They should all be held accountable for their actions, decisions and statements because many people’s lives are at stake.”

The GMB host also tore into Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis this morning, telling him it was “an absolute disgrace” that few care home workers have been tested for coronavirus.

Also this week, he blasted local government minister Simon Clarke for referring to deaths as “statistics”, saying to him: “How dare you”.

An ITV spokesperson said: “It is categorically untrue to suggest that GMB puts guests on mute during on air interviews with any of our presenters.

“Lively debate is at the heart of the show each day and we never dip any contributor's sound during exchanges.”

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