TV debate needs a Leaver, say ex-ministers
THE planned television debate between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn will “breach the concept of impartiality” unless a prominent Brexiteer is allowed to take part, five Euro- sceptic former ministers have warned.
Tory MPS including Boris Johnson, David Davis and Dominic Raab have written to Sir David Clementi, the BBC chairman, with the warning.
It came as broadcasters claimed that the debate could be cancelled unless the Tories and Labour can agree on the format it will take.
Downing Street has backed holding it on the BBC at 8pm next Sunday, but Mr Corbyn wants an ITV slot instead. The Labour leader is concerned that the BBC’S plans for a panel of other pol- iticians will dilute the debate.
An industry source told The Daily Telegraph: “There’s less than a week left now until the debate is supposed to happen, and that isn’t a lot of time.”
The Eurosceptics say that the views of the 17.4million people who voted for Brexit “will be nowhere represented” in the debate’s current format because both leaders voted Remain.
“They are both wedded to slightly different models of staying in the customs union,” their letter says. “As a
result, the proposed debate will do nothing to illuminate the real issues at stake.
“This is not a general election and the Government and the Opposition cannot be allowed to play fast and loose with representative democracy.”
The letter was signed by Mr Johnson, Mr Raab, Iain Duncan Smith, John Whittingdale and Owen Paterson – as well as Jacob Rees Mogg, who leads a group of Eurosceptic backbenchers.
They called for a senior Brexiteer to be included in the main line-up and accused the BBC of pursuing an option which “breaches the concept of impartiality”.
Downing Street yesterday accused Mr Corbyn of “running scared” from the debate.
A No 10 spokesman said: “If Jeremy Corbyn doesn’t agree to what’s now on the table – a debate on prime time with the Prime Minister – the public will rightly conclude he’s running scared.”
A Labour spokesman said the BBC option risked being a “mish-mash” and said: “Theresa May is running away from the scrutiny of a real head-to-head debate with Jeremy Corbyn.”
The BBC said: “Our proposal is a programme which includes both a head-tohead debate… and an opportunity to hear from a wider range of voices.”