Laura Kuenssberg, a prominent BBC presenter and former political editor, has detailed instances of harassment and abuse she encountered throughout her political journalism career in her new memoir, *Pay Attention*, published this week. The 50-year-old journalist recounts uncomfortable encounters with senior political figures, highlighting concerns about behaviour towards women in Westminster.
In one episode, Kuenssberg describes a troubling incident at a party conference where an unnamed minister and his partner appeared to invite her into a potentially inappropriate situation. She had gone to the minister’s hotel room expecting a meeting with his adviser but instead found the politician with several shirt buttons undone and his partner present. The minister was sprawled on the bed, prompting Kuenssberg to quickly finish her drink and leave. When questioned about the incident, she said, “Maybe they were and maybe they weren’t” inviting her to a threesome but stressed the encounter was “very uncomfortable.” She has declined to reveal the identity of the minister or the party conference where the incident occurred, stating she would "take it to [her] grave." Kuenssberg also cautioned against assumptions that the minister was from a particular political party since her career has spanned multiple roles and events.
The memoir also sheds light on other distressing experiences. Kuenssberg recounts an incident with a married government minister she frequently met for political discussions who invited her to the theatre and allegedly groped her. She immediately severed contact with him. Another minister reportedly greeted her with an unwelcome kiss on the head, and a peer sent her what she terms a “really creepy text” complimenting her on television attire, which led her to stop responding.
Beyond harassment, Kuenssberg discusses the intense online abuse she has faced, particularly during her tenure as BBC political editor from 2015 to 2022, covering the Brexit era. She recounts receiving vitriolic messages, including one telling her to “f*** off and die of ovarian cancer,” which led her to stop monitoring her social media feeds. The level of hostility at times prompted the BBC to provide her with bodyguard protection, and she describes fleeing an event for Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign after being confronted by hostile men.
While much of *Pay Attention* covers Kuenssberg’s journalistic insights—such as interviews with prime ministers Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer—the memoir also explores the shifting landscape of British politics. She dedicates considerable attention to Nigel Farage, describing the Reform UK leader as “incredibly gifted” but distancing his approach from typical political conduct. Kuenssberg reflects on the pervasive fragmentation and polarisation that now define political discourse.
Speaking about the broader implications of her experiences, Kuenssberg noted that “there is still a concern in Westminster that particularly young people starting out are sometimes very vulnerable,” underscoring ongoing challenges surrounding workplace conduct in political environments.