Labour leadership hopeful Emily Thornberry admitted that the party agreed after Tory MP Theresa Villiers said the Conservatives would press ahead with plans to increase tax for big tech firms in the UK. But the audience, and host Fiona Bruce, were left surprised after Ms Thornberry moved to approve of her parliamentary rival. Initially, Ms Villiers said: “We’re going to go ahead with digital service tax. Vital big companies pay their taxes.

“We have to act domestically now.

“Even if US carries out taxes, you’ll still go ahead with this tax.

“There is rightful concern, they should pay their fair share of taxes. These big companies should pay their fair share.”

And to the shock of everyone, Ms Thornberry said she approved of the Tory’s comments.

She added: “I think it’s outrageous, see profit Starbucks make and the amount of profit they make to say they pay lower tax.

“When they walk down the street, streets that our taxes have paid before.

“It’s for us to act together and pass something we can control the companies, we can’t keep waiting.”

The debate from Thursday night’s show explored concerns over the taxing of big technology companies and the impact this could have on the UK.

JUST IN: The two word reply from Villiers that silenced BBC QT audience member

The audience member said: “We know how Donald Trump operates he is very transactional and because there is alignment with the tax and he can change his mind very quickly.

“How do we know that the Tory Government won’t in exchange for taxing technology companies sacrifice the NHS?

“And then allow privatisation?”

Subtly, Ms Villiers said: “It won’t. It won’t.”