THERESA MAY has agreed to face Jeremy Corbyn in a live TV debate over the Brexit deal.
The Prime Minister has accepted the BBC’s offer for the event two days before the ‘meaningful vote’ in Parliament on her deal.
Labour, who are thought to be more keen on ITV hosting the debate, have not yet confirmed Mr Corbyn’s participation.
The party’s leader Jeremy Corbyn told This Morning that he had said he was happy with an offer from ITV to hold a live debate on the same date.
However it would air ahead of the final of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, rather than competing with it on the BBC.
BBC's #Brexit TV debate, explained by @BBCNormanS:
• When: Sunday 9th December, 8pm
• Where: Birmingham
• Who: Theresa May accepts invite, Labour tbc
• Featuring live panel and questions via social mediaMore: https://t.co/WaWMAY1pbK pic.twitter.com/1ZpnnF7nOm
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) November 29, 2018
The announcement has angered the other parties that make up the Commons, with the SNP, Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and Greens wanting a range of views to be reflected.
The BBC’s proposal does include a panel of people, prominent Brexiters or Remainers, who will be able to ask questions of the two leaders, as well as the general public getting to submit questions through social media.
But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “If this or any Brexit TV debate goes ahead without all options – including that of remaining in the EU – being included and given a voice, it will be an absolute travesty of democracy.”
Dear @BBC, there’s more than two parties in the UK.
What says you @Ofcom ? https://t.co/DzrfNBYhBX
— Peter Murrell (@PeterMurrell) November 29, 2018
SNP MP Stewart MacDonald said: “You’ve got to wonder what sort of Whitehall whizz kid thinks that a debate on the biggest economic, political, constitutional & social issue that we all face, has the First Minister of Scotland only being able to participate from a table at the side of the studio, is a good idea.”
Channel 4 presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy suggested that there could be an alternative platform for others to get involved in a debate, tweeting: “Whatever happens Channel 4 will want to do The Real Brexit Debate – with the likes of Boris Johnson, Nicola Sturgeon, Chuka Umunna debating the actual options.”
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