Swinson threatens ITV with legal fight after leaders’ debate snub

JO SWINSON, the Liberal Democrat leader, is to take legal action against ITV if it ref|uses to include her in a leaders’ election debate on Nov 19.

She claimed it was a potential breach of the Ofcom broadcasting code which required fair and balanced election coverage based on the Lib Dems’ past and present electoral support.

Ms Swinson also called it “sexist” for Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn to bar her from the first head-to-head debate between a sitting Prime Minister and opposition leader in electoral history. She said: “We are taking legal advice and we will pursue legal avenues if ITV do not change their format.

“It is so important that millions of Remainers can make sure their voice is represented, that it is a fair debate between the different options on offer, and that for the girls and young women … they see women can be political leaders and prime ministers too.

“As the leader of the biggest and strongest party of Remain it is a nonsense to suggest that these debates should go ahead, Leave versus Leave, with no voice for Remain whatsoever.”

Ms Swinson said David Cameron, Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg had participated in leaders’ debates in 2010 when the Lib Dems’ poll ratings were similar to those now. She added: “I should be in those debates with Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn. And frankly, if they are refusing to debate me, then it looks like they are sexist or they are scared or possibly both.”

The Lib Dems complained to ITV that its decision breaches Ofcom’s code that states ‘“due weight must be given to the coverage of parties and independent candidates” and “broadcasters must take into account evidence of past electoral support and/or current support”.

ITV said it intended to offer fair and balanced election coverage with the other party leaders, including the Lib Dems, being offered an hour after the Johnson-corbyn debate. It said it also planned a two-hour seven-way leadership debate later in the campaign.

Ms Swinson’s call is backed by voters by a two-to-one majority. In a Yougov poll, 53 per cent thought she should take part with 26 per cent against.

A Sky News leaders’ debate on Nov 28 will include Ms Swinson.

Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader, also demanded a right to take part, saying the ITV plan was part of an effort to prop up a two-party system.

The clashes came as the Electoral Reform Society called for a debates commission to devise a standardised format for televised election debates to stop the “endless rows”.