Channel Seven reporter Liam Bartlett is preparing to air an explosive on-camera confrontation with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, just weeks after Karl Stefanovic’s career at Nine ended following his podcast interview with him.
The Spotlight reporter spent the past month filming alongside Pauline Hanson across Australia and the UK, with the investigation culminating in a fiery face-off with Robinson, 43, on the streets of Luton.
However, Bartlett’s chat with Robinson was a world away from the friendly banter Stefanovic, 51, exchanged with the divisive figure.
The Seven journalist, 65, was seen to aggressively challenge Robinson over his criminal record and alleged extremist ties during a tense on-camera exchange, reports Media Diary.
The confrontation unfolded as Robinson escorted One Nation leader Hanson around the English town, with Bartlett stepping in to grill the divisive political figure in front of members of the public and Metropolitan Police officers.
According to one witness, the exchange became so heated that officers stopped to watch as Bartlett repeatedly pressed Robinson over his past convictions and associations.
Channel Seven reporter Liam Bartlett is preparing to air an explosive on-camera confrontation with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson
One eyewitness even claimed police applauded the veteran journalist once filming wrapped.
The confrontation forms part of an upcoming Spotlight investigation that has largely been kept under wraps despite Bartlett and his crew shadowing Hanson for four weeks.
The special follows the One Nation leader during a series of high-profile appearances, including her controversial visit to an Islamic college in Brisbane before travelling to Britain, where she met with Robinson and former Neighbours star turned conservative commentator Holly Valance.
The documentary also features figures from Hanson’s political circle, including Barnaby Joyce and British politician Rupert Lowe.
The timing of Seven’s investigation is particularly significant, coming on the heels of Stefanovic’s independently produced podcast interview with Robinson.
His chat sparked widespread backlash after critics accused the Today host of giving the controversial figure an easy platform.
The interview was removed from YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts within hours, and Nine later confirmed it was treating the matter seriously despite having no editorial involvement.
Stefanovic and Channel Nine have since parted ways.
The Spotlight reporter spent the past month filming Pauline Hanson across Australia, with the investigation culminating in a fiery face-off with Robinson
The timing of Seven’s investigation is particularly significant, coming on the heels of Stefanovic’s independently produced podcast interview with Robinson
The TV star, who has been a Nine stalwart for some 25 years, had six months and over $1 million left to be paid on his current 12-month contract.
Robinson has been a prominent figure in right-wing activism in the UK for almost a decade, and has a lengthy criminal record.
His convictions include violence, public order offences, contempt of court, stalking and harassing journalists, as well as financial and immigration fraud.
Stefanovic, one of Australia’s most famous television presenters, has taken to interviewing right-wing personalities on his podcast, which he launched in January.
