Corbyn may snub television debates

Jeremy Corbyn may not take part in TV election debates which do not involve Theresa May, Labour has indicated.

Broadcasters are facing calls for the Prime Minister to be “empty chaired”, after she made clear she will not participate in televised debates in the run-up to the June 8 general election.

But a senior Labour spokesman suggested a debate would only be worthwhile if it pitted the leaders of the two biggest parties against one another.

Asked whether Mr Corbyn would attend a broadcast which did not involve Mrs May, the spokesman said: “Obviously, if you are talking about a debate about the possible outcomes of the election, you are talking about a debate between the Conservative party and the Labour party first and foremost.

“To have a debate among the opposition parties doesn’t meet that objective. Our challenge is to the Prime Minister to have the strength and guts to face a direct debate with Jeremy.”

The Labour leader on a visit to St Thomas’ Hospital, London.