The confirmation hearing of Gina Haspel, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the CIA, was interrupted yesterday by protesters shouting "Prosecute the torturers!" and "Bloody Gina."

As a key figure in the CIA's so-called detention and interrogation program, Haspel ordered and oversaw the torture and waterboarding of detainees. That period has driven the controversy surrounding her nomination, but it's also where she earned her nickname, according to John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer turned whistleblower.

"There are a lot of women in the CIA's senior intelligence service who would be marvellous CIA directors. Gina Haspel's actions in 2002 in my view disqualify her," he told The Current's Anna Maria Tremonti.

Michael Hayden, a former CIA director, disagreed. He listed Haspel's intelligence, professionalism and "wonderful record" as some of the reasons why Haspel would the right person to lead the CIA.

"I know a lot of people want to relitigate the past but mostly I think Gina is the right choice because of the present and the future," he said.

Listen to the full conversation near the top of this page.

This segment was produced by The Current's John Chipman and Julie Crysler.