Kay Burley was embroiled in a bitter online spat after an op-ed column referred to the retiring Sky News star as ‘TV’s answer to Liz Truss‘.
The 64-year-old hit back at Camilla Tominey last night after the Daily Telegraph’s associate editor made a series of jibes.
The mother of three taunted Burley for ‘being as resilient as her facelift‘ and comparing her to Britain’s shortest-serving PM by letting ‘every gaffe wash over her like lettuce in a salad spinner’.
The barb was in reference to a challenge created by the Daily Star that saw a lettuce outlast Ms Truss during her ill-fated 44-day premiership.
Burley was involved in the row just hours after she made the shock announcement that she was retiring from Sky News after 36 years.
Hitting back, the veteran broadcaster posted a link to the column on her X page and told Tominey: ‘Sweetie @CamillaTominey as the late, great Madeleine Albright said, there is a special place in hell for women who don’t support other women.’
The GB News presenter replied with a photo of Burley grabbing a photographer by the throat when she clashed with the rival outside court when Naomi Campbell arrived in 2008.
She wrote: ‘Yes, as this photographer can vouch.’
Kay Burley was embroiled in a bitter online spat after an op-ed column referred to the retiring Sky News star as ‘TV’s answer to Liz Truss’
Daily Telegraph associate editor and GB News presenter Camilla Tominey made a series of jibes in the article
Tominey’s column highlighted a series of gaffes Burley had made throughout her career but said ‘she embraced her Ron Burgundyisms with admirable gusto’.
Opening the piece as a ‘farewell’ to Burley, she went on to say: ‘Some may say good riddance, but like her or loathe “Hurley Burley”, you can’t fault the 64 year old’s staying power.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Burley and Tominey for comment.
Burley, who covered the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the September 11 attacks and the Boxing Day tsunami, announceed her retirement live on air yesterday after closing out what turned out to be her final Sky News Breakfast.
She made the announcement at the end of the programme with no notice – looking back on a remarkable career at the forefront of news, having been part of the team that launched Sky News in 1989.
Staff were made aware of her plans immediately after she made the announcement on air – after Sky bosses decided it was only appropriate that the trailblazing female broadcaster got to break the story herself.
The presenter, reported to earn at least £600,000 a year as of 2020, said shortly before 10am: ‘Just before we end today’s programme, a couple of moments to reflect on the past 36 years here at Sky News – our birthday today.
‘It’s been an honour and a privilege to work with some of the best and hardest-working teams in the business.
Burley hit back by saying there is a ‘special place in hell for women who don’t support other women’ before Tominey responded with a photo from 2008 of the former Sky News star with her hand wrapped around the throat of a female photographer
Burley was compared to Britain’s shortest-serving PM by letting ‘every gaffe wash over her like lettuce in a salad spinner’
‘News by its very nature is often devastating and together we’ve covered so many life-changing events – from the tragic death of Diana, the shocking terror attack of 9/11; the Asian Tsunami; the Concorde air disaster.
‘But we’ve also enjoyed some wonderful high notes too, haven’t we? The thrill of London winning the chance to host the 2012 Olympics; a plethora of royal weddings; jubilees and who can forget days and days and days waiting for royal babies to arrive at the Lindo Wing,’ she said with a knowing smile.
She continued: ‘But after over a million minutes of live TV news – more than anyone else in the world – its time for me to indulge in some of my other passions – including my love for travel.
‘So, after covering 12 separate general elections – including Sir Keir Starmer’s victory last year – I am retiring from Sky News.’
She joked: ‘Let politicians of every party just rejoice at that news.’
As she finished speaking, she was applauded by members of the Sky News team, some of whom filmed her closing remarks from the side of the stage.
David Rhodes, Sky News Executive Chairman, shared a note with staff following the news Kay Burley will retire from Sky News after 36 years, as he confirmed yesterday was her last day on air.
He said: ‘Talking with Kay about her plans, we all felt it was more fitting that Kay break this story herself. She’s done that now in her own words, and we’ll be sharing the clip on social channels today.
Burley unexpectedly revealed yesterday that she has presented her last Sky News Breakfast programme – and is retiring from the channel after 36 years
Her shock announcement was made at the end of the Sky News Breakfast programme – watched by members of the team from the side of the stage
Burley pictured in 1997 alongside fellow presenters Laurie Mayer, Adam Boulton and Martin Stanford ahead of the General Election
Kay Burley, visible as a shock of red hair, outside Uxbridge Magistrates Court remonstrating with Associated Press photographer Kirsty Wigglesworth after reportedly being struck in the face by a camera during a media scrum for Naomi Campbell’s court appearance
‘A founding member of Sky News, Kay helped build our proposition from its launch in 1989. She has been a constant presence on our screens over the course of our 36 years.’
He added: ‘I’m sure some MPs in Westminster will sleep easy knowing they won’t face her indomitable questioning in the mornings.
‘Kay confirmed that today was her final broadcast with Sky News. Of course, Breakfast continues – with the other current presenters and with our Friday-Sunday team.
‘We thank Kay for her huge contribution to Sky, to the art of the interview and to British journalism. And we wish her the best of luck.’
