KEY CLASHES
Key ITV election debate clashes – Furious Boris Johnson vows NHS is never for sale in Brexit trade deal
FURIOUS Boris Johnson tonight vowed the NHS would never be put up for sale in a Brexit trade deal.
The Prime Minister and Jeremy Corbyn came head-to-head over key issues including the economy and the potential break-up of the union.
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NHS
Mr Corbyn brandished blacked out FOI documents tonight as he accused the PM of planning on selling the NHS to the US.
But the furious PM blasted: "This is an absolute invention, this is completely not true.
"Under no circumstances whatsoever would any Conservative government put the NHS on the table.
"Our NHS will never be for sale."
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And Mr Johnson instead pointed the finger at Mr Corbyn, saying he was focusing on the non-issue to "conceal the void" at the heart of his Brexit policy.
Meanwhile, Corbyn was laughed at when he said his 4-day week would be “paid for by productivity [improvements] all across Britain".
BREXIT DITHERING
Mr Corbyn dodged questions on how he would campaign in a second referendum.
He claims he wants to renegotiate a new deal with Brussels in just three months and put it back to the people for another vote.
But ten times he refused to say which side he would take afterwards.
The leftie boss said: "We will negotiate an agreement and we will put that alongside remain in a referendum.
"I will carry out that referendum, it will be a genuine choice. And we will carry it out.";
Mr Johnson accused him of creating more "dither and delay" with his plan for the country.
He said: "Let's end this national misery and break the deadlock."
UNION BREAK UP?
Asked if the union more important than Brexit, yes or no, Mr Corbyn responded: "Our country is obviously very very important and we have to bring this business to a close."
Mr Johnson answered: "The union is of course the most important thing. And it’s a fantastic thing."
The Labour leader was then unable to rule out a second Scottish independence referendum.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has said the price of her support for a Labour government would be to hold another vote on the break up of the union next year.
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PUBLIC SPENDING
Corbyn tonight vowed that Labour would end austerity that had been "so brutal on the lives of so many people."
And Johnson added: "I believe in spending massively in our public services, because we support aa dynamic, wealth-creating sector."
But host Julie Etchingham jokingly asked: "Have you found a magic money tree, Mr Johnson?
"Have you found more than one of them, Mr Corbyn?"
Johnson then jumped in, saying: "A money forest he's got."
ANTI-SEMITISM
Corbyn tonight blasted racism as "evil" as he was quizzed over Labour's anti-Semitism row.
He said: ";Racism in any form is a scourge in our society."
And Corbyn added: "I have taken action in my party where anyone has committed any antisemitic act or made antisemitic statements."
He then claimed offenders had been "either suspended or expelled from the party" - saying: "we have investigated every single case."
It comes after the Labour leader has been accused of its handling of anti-Semitism in the party.
And Mr Johnson said there had been a "complete failure" by Corbyn to properly handle the issue.
He said: "It's a failure of leadership."
Audience laugh when Jeremy Corbyn claims to tackle anti-Semitism
ON THE MONARCHY
Corbyn tonight said the monarchy "needs a bit of improvement" while Johnson said it was "beyond reproach".
But both leaders were then hit with a further question about Prince Andrew, who this week made headlines with his interview about his friendship with paedo financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Corbyn immediately recognised the pain the victims of Epstein had gone through, saying: "I think there are very, very serious questions that must be answered.
"Nobody should be above the law."
Johnson added his sympathies to the victims, adding: "The law must certainly take its course."
Jeremy Corbyn booed after saying the British monarchy 'needs some improvement'
Johnson edged Jeremy Corbyn 51-49 in a snap election debate poll.
The narrow win comes as the PM is so far ahead in the polls - consolidating him as a firm favourite for the General Election.
Chris Curtis, YouGov’s Political Research Manager, said: "Our snap poll shows that the public is divided on who won the debate, with most Labour voters thinking Jeremy Corbyn won, most Conservative voters thinking Boris Johnson won, and very few people changing their minds.
"But given the Conservatives went into this debate in the lead, they will hope the lack of a knockout blow means they can maintain this until voting day."
MOST READ IN NEWS
Hosted by news presenter Julie Etchingham, tonight's head-to-head marks the first time since 2015 that both the Labour and Conservative party leaders have taken part in a TV debate.
It's telling on how well leaders perform in these kinds of debates - which can make or break their popularity with voters.
Boris Johnson gets in the boxing ring ahead of Corbyn debate showdown