Sir Keir Starmer was forced to deny being 'fit' today as he continued to refuse to face Rishi Sunak live on TV every week during the general election campaign.
But the Labour leader is said to want to 'get out on the ground' instead and is likely only to agree to TV debates on the BBC and ITV.Mr Sunak's team are said to be trying to organise the first TV debate for next week, with a source close to the PM saying: 'Rishi Sunak is up for debating Keir Starmer as many times as he likes.
'I'm not going to deny that it was a bit wet,' he said on LBC. 'I'm not a fair-weather politician. I believe very strongly in the traditions of our country. And when you're making a statement of that magnitude as Prime Minister, I believe in just doing it in the traditional way, come rain and shine, in front of the steps of Downing Street.'
The Labour leader replied: 'Well, that report is just nonsense. Look, I've been saying 'Bring it on' for a very, very long time. I'm happy to debate any time.'A Labour source said Sir Keir would do 'a couple' of television debates but said there were concerns about them taking up a disproportionate amount of time on the campaign.
Broadcasters and political parties have been discussing the format and timing of the debates for months, but it is understood no details have yet been finalised. Televised evening matches kick off at 8pm UK time every day between Friday June 14 and Wednesday 26, making Thursday 27 the most likely date for a leadership debate on either the BBC or ITV.
Source: Entertainment Trends (entertainmenttrends.net)
News Conservatives BBC Rishi Sunak ITV Labour Keir Starmer
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