BBC show 'cannot find' anyone who supports Theresa May statement about Brexit delay

'We’re trying to bring up tweets from a range of different people – no one is being positive about it,' says presenter Ros Atkins

Theresa May‘s statement about a delay to Brexit went down so badly that BBC News was unable to find anyone who supported it.

The channel’s Outside Source programme - which assembles reaction to the headlines from social media and other sources - was forced to show only negative Twitter comments about the prime minister’s Downing Street speech on Wednesday night.

“I’ve got colleagues down here in the newsroom, we’re trying to bring up tweets from a range of different people – no one is being positive about it,” said presenter Ros Atkins as he discussed reaction to Ms May’s statement.

The programme showed tweets from Brexit-supporting broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer, who claimed the prime minister was “not on my side”, as well as SNP MP Alan Brown, who said Ms May’s “lack of self awareness and culpability is astounding”.

Twelve minutes later, scrolling through further negative tweets, Mr Atkins added: “We’re looking for people enthused by it – believe me we’re looking – we’re just not finding it.”

MPs across the political spectrum reacted with fury to the prime minister’s televised statement, in which she blamed parliament for blocking her Brexit deal and said she was “sure” that “you, the public, have had enough of political games”.

Labour’s Wes Streeting accused the prime minister of putting MPs’ lives in danger with an “incendiary” address, while former Conservative minister Sam Gyimah said the “blame game“ was a “low blow”.

Ms May's speech came after EU Council president Donald Tusk told her she would only secure an extension to Article 50 if she could seal a deal with parliament.