Boris BBC head-to-head with Corbyn

BORIS Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn will have a head-to-head debate on the BBC in the run up to the General Election, the Corporation announced yesterday.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson accused the broadcaster of being ‘complicit’ in an ‘establishment stitch-up’ by excluding her from the Prime Ministerial Debate. The showdown, which will take place in Southampton on December 6, will be hosted by Today programme presenter Nick Robinson.

Miss Swinson said the Lib Dems would ‘pursue all options’, including legal action, to make sure the party was given a platform in televised leaders’ debates. But the BBC’s head of newsgathering Jonathan Munro defended the broadcaster’s approach, saying it gives coverage to parties ‘in a way that relates to their different levels of electoral support’.

The Lib Dems have filed a complaint against ITV because Miss Swinson was not included in the channel’s planned head-to-head debate on November 19.

Meanwhile, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage is set to appear in two other election shows being hosted by the BBC. He is expected to be one of the ‘ leaders or senior figures’ from the major parties in a seven-way debate and is also being lined up for a 30-minute Question Time special to be broadcast in the run up to polling day on December 12.

The appearances will give Mr Farage the opportunity to make his case to Brexit supporters. Both the Tories and Labour fear his decision to stand hundreds of candidates will deprive them of votes.

Mr Robinson will also present the debate with senior figures from the seven major parties. Mr Johnson is not expected to take part and Labour would not confirm if Mr Corbyn will. Both would be replaced by other party figures.