Corbyn ‘scared’ of facing May in debate

MINISTERS last night accused Jeremy Corbyn of “running scared” from a Brexit TV debate showdown with Theresa May.

The intervention comes amid continued wrangling over the format of the planned encounter in the run-up to MPs voting on December 11 on the PM’s deal.

On Saturday the Labour leader said he would accept Number 10’s preferred option of having the BBC stage the event – provided it was a straight headto-head clash with Mrs May.

Previously Mr Corbyn had backed a rival ITV proposal based on a one-on-one debate, in contrast to the corporation’s offer which would also see the leaders taking questions from a wider panel.

Downing Street made clear last night it wants to stick with the original BBC plan.

A spokesman said: “A week ago, the PM challenged Jeremy Corbyn to a head-tohead debate. He accepted.

Crunch

“Since then, in order to accommodate his confected demands, we’ve moved our preferred day, accommodated the addition of social media questions at Labour’s request, and agreed there should be maximum head-to-head time, while still including voices from employers and civil society in the debate.

“But if Jeremy Corbyn doesn’t agree to what’s now on the table – a debate on prime time with the Prime Minister – the public will rightly conclude he’s running scared. So let’s get on with it.”

The BBC originally suggested Thursday evening and ITV favoured 7pm next Sunday– just two days before the crunch Commons vote.

A Labour spokesman said: “As she did during the general election campaign, Theresa May is running away from the scrutiny of a real head-to-head debate with Jeremy Corbyn.

“Why else would she not accept ITV’s offer of a straightforward head-to-head debate, as Jeremy has done?”