THERESA May has agreed to take part in a live televised debate during the election campaign ... on the condition that nobody else is involved.
The risk-averse Prime Minister, who been accused of “running scared” by rivals, will take part in a Question Time special in early June. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will also appear on the programme, but not at the same time as the Tory leader.
The two party leaders vying to be the next Prime Minister will face questions from a studio audience.
A second special broadcast two days later will feature LibDem leader Tim Farron and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The BBC announced a raft of special programming for the election campaign, including a seven-way debate featuring senior figures from the main parties at the end of the month – but not the Tory leader.
But Corbyn has already made clear that if May doesn’t take part then neither will he.
Tonight the Prime Minister and husband Philip will appear on the BBC’s One Show for a soft interview about their personal lives. It will be the first time May’s husband has given a broadcast interview.
BBC One will also air a series of primetime Andrew Neil Interviews with May, Corbyn, Farron, Sturgeon and Ukip’s Paul Nuttall. The Greens have reacted angrily to being excluded.
It echoes STV’s decision not to invite the Greens on to their Scottish party leader’s debate to be broadcast live on May 24.
The party’s co-convenor Patrick Harvie will appear on a BBC Scotland debate three days earlier, alongside the other Holyrood party leaders.
The party have called on STV to reverse the decision not to include a representative in the event, which is due to be broadcast live from the Tramway in Glasgow.
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