Corbyn ‘running scared’ of live TV debate

DOWNING Street says Jeremy Corbyn is ‘running scared’ of a TV Brexit showdown with Theresa May.

The prospects of a clash between the two appeared to be fading after talks hit deadlock last night.

The Prime Minister has signed up for a BBC programme to take place on Sunday, December 9 – just two days before a crunch Commons vote on her deal.

But the Labour leader has made clear he will take part only if the corporation agrees to change the format to suit him.

Under the proposed BBC plan, the leaders would take questions from a panel, including commentators and politicians, as well as debating with each other.

But Mr Corbyn wants a straight head-tohead discussion between him and Mrs May – a proposal put forward by ITV.

A No 10 spokesman said: ‘A week ago, the PM challenged Jeremy Corbyn to a head-tohead debate. He accepted.

‘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 headto-head time, while still including voices from employers and civil society.

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

Meanwhile, Channel 4 has been trying to put together a rival debate, with Boris Johnson and Tony Blair on its wishlist. Mr Johnson last week condemned the idea of a headto-head showdown between Mr Corbyn and Mrs May, saying they were both Remainers at the time of the 2016 EU referendum.

However, friends of the former foreign secretary have made clear he is not interested in the ‘second-string’ clash – and the Remain camp would be unwilling to field Mr Blair.

Labour said: ‘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? Instead, her team are playing games and prefer the BBC’s offer.’