Reform councillor Laila Cunningham leaves Sky's Sophy Ridge stuttering in fiery row

Reform UK councillor Laila Cunningham left Sky News presenter Sophy Ridge visibly rattled during a tense exchange on Sunday evening, as the pair clashed over the party's plans to expand Britain's prison system.

Appearing on The Politics Hub, Cunningham outlined Reform's proposal to build new prisons and create 12,400 additional prison spaces as part of the party's tough-on-crime stance. But when Ridge pressed her for details on how many new prison officers would be required to staff those facilities, things took a turn.

"You want to build new prisons," Ridge began. "How many new prison officers do you think you will need to staff those prisons?"

Cunningham responded firmly: "I don't think we've got down to the operational needs as such. There are a few years to flesh out the policy. We are thinking of adding 12,400 spaces."

Appearing visibly unimpressed, Ridge challenged the lack of specifics: "I completely understand that Reform want to prioritise tackling crime, sending more people to prison, but is it realistic to say, 'We're going to work out all the prison officers we need at a later date'? It doesn't feel like it's a realistic policy. If I had a Labour or Conservative politician here saying that, I would have a go at them. You need the same scrutiny."

Cunningham doubled down, insisting, "Of course, four years down the line, we will have a very detailed plan."

Ridge pushed again: "How can the public believe that when you don't have a nuts-and-bolts answer to the question?"

But the exchange reached a boiling point when Cunningham turned the question around: "You are focusing on one nuts and bolts, which is how many prison officers. Do you know how many prison officers there are now?"

Cunningham hit back: "If you asked any minister, I don't think they could pull a number out of a hat."

The clash has already sparked fierce debate online, with some praising Cunningham for turning the tables on the broadcaster. In contrast, others criticised Reform UK's lack of preparation on key policy details.

The fiery interview comes as Reform continues to push a strict law-and-order agenda, calling for harsher sentences, increased prison capacity, and faster justice for those impacted by what were once considered to be "petty crimes".