BBC or ITV? Leaders clash on Brexit debate

Scotland’s first minister is frozen out as Labour and Tories collide over which broadcaster to choose

THE Brexit TV debate descended into a stand-off yesterday after Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn disputed which channel should air the programme.

The Prime Minister said that she would take part in a debate on BBC One at 8pm on Sunday Dec 9, with the broadcaster pulling an episode of Sir David Attenborough’s new series Dynasties to accommodate it.

Mr Corbyn, however, wanted the debate to be broadcast on ITV at 7pm, which he believed would offer a more diverse audience ahead of the finale of I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!

He is also concerned by the BBC’S plan to feature a panel of public figures who will be allowed to make points and ask questions. Half will be supportive of the deal, while half will oppose it.

ITV, by contrast, would offer a direct hour-long debate without an audience, chaired by Julie Etchingham, the journalist and presenter.

The BBC slot is likely to attract a significantly higher audience as it follows the announcement of the finalists of Strictly Come Dancing. Viewing figures for ITV’S 7pm offer are likely to be lower because it competes directly with the BBC dance contest.

Conservatives and the BBC were yesterday accused of trying to “bounce” Labour after announcing that the Prime Minister had agreed to the debate.

The BBC said: “Like everyone else, we’ve just heard the Prime Minister has accepted the BBC’S offer to take part in a debate on the Brexit deal. We’re delighted she’s agreed and hope to hear soon from the Labour Party.”

Mr Corbyn said that ITV’S offer seemed sensible. He told ITV’S This Morning: “It reaches a wider audience and the timing looked good to me because it’s not inconveniencing people who want to watch other things later in the evening.

“One should always have respect for the viewers and also we want to get the widest possible audience.”

Mr Corbyn had indicated he would not appear in a debate that clashed with I’m a Celebrity because, he said, “I want to watch it myself ”.

Mrs May has challenged Mr Corbyn ahead of a crucial vote in the Commons on her Brexit deal as she seeks to build up support.

The BBC has not announced who will present the show but David Dimbleby, Huw Edwards, Mishal Husain and Nick Robinson are all under consideration.

Downing Street is understood to have decided to accept the BBC’S offer as it will focus firmly on the deal. Labour wants a wider debate that will go beyond Brexit and address the “future of our country”.

But Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister and SNP leader, called the debate a “travesty of democracy”.

The BBC’S debate would take place in Birmingham and would see the leaders take questions from the public submitted via social media.

An ITV spokesman said: “As always, it is up to those invited to decide whether they want to accept the invitation.”

Boris Johnson, the former foreign secretary, said a Brexiteer critical of the deal must be included in the debate and that the head-to-head offered a false choice between two visions, neither of which were Brexit.

A Downing Street spokesman said the debate was on: “It will be between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. Those two parties represent nine out of 10 of the number of MPS in the House.” Asked if Ms Sturgeon should take part, the spokesman added: “The meaningful vote is for MPS and the last time I checked, Nicola Sturgeon did not fit that description.”