Kari Lake: Interviewing the election denier who ran for Arizona governor

An election-denying former journalist wanted to be the next governor of Arizona. But does Kari Lake truly believe in what she's campaigned on?

It was 54C (130F), but Kari Lake was cool as a cucumber.

Her immaculate hair-do and pristine make-up had somehow defied the sweaty ravages of the summer heat.

Lake spent 22 years as a TV anchor on Arizona's local Fox 10 news channel before jumping into politics with a run for Arizona governor this year, and her poised on-air persona has been one of her most powerful political weapons.

I met Lake this summer at a coffee morning hosted at a retirement community in Wickenburg, a couple of hours north of Phoenix. Lake had driven out there to campaign, soliciting votes and donations, from this critical group of constituents. She invited us to them.

No Republican can hope to win state-wide office in Arizona without the of older white voters, and in the pristine house on Tenderfoot Way, that's exactly what she found.

My crew and I arrived before Lake, and the room of a few dozen ers was already buzzing with anticipation. They recognise Lake from her years reading the news; she's a celebrity in Arizona, and they were very excited to meet her. One elderly woman told me she only hoped Lake would be as glamorous in the flesh as she was on TV.

And when the TV anchor turned conservative firebrand finally arrived she didn't disappoint.

Lake is a real pro at working a room. Those years performing for the camera have served her well, and she walked in confidently, with a wide smile. "Oh my gosh, how are you">BBC royal correspondent Daniela Relph on King Charles III's trip to Canada where he will open the country’s parliament.