Channel 4 plans to ’empty-chair’ Boris Johnson after snubbing their election debate over ‘bias’
CHANNEL 4 are pressing ahead with plans to humiliate Boris Johnson after he snubbed their election debate because of a row over bias.
The broadcaster said it will ‘empty-chair’ the PM in the live one-hour leaders’ debate on climate change on Thursday night.
But the Tories said they had “deep reservations” about signing up because of the furore caused by Channel 4 boss Dorothy Byrne.
In the summer, she branded Mr Johnson a “known liar” in an anti-Tory tirade.
And they accused Labour of trying to limit the election debate to non-Brexit issues to escape leader Jeremy Corbyn's chaotic stance on a second referendum.
Channel 4 said Thursday’s showdown - called ‘Emergency on Planet Earth: The Debate’ - will take place even if Boris Johnson is unable to take up the invitation.
The debate is expected to go ahead with the remaining seven party leaders.
Jeremy Corbyn, Scottish First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson and Green co-leader Sian Berry have accepted the invitation.
Ben de Pear, editor of Channel 4 News, said: "There is no more urgent issue facing the planet and we are delighted to open the whole of our programme for all the party leaders to show what plans they have to confront it."
But a Conservative source said: "Jeremy Corbyn is trying to limit the debate to a single issue because he does not have an answer on the biggest question of this election - Brexit."
PM laugh edit was a mistake says BBC
BACKTRACKING BBC bosses last night admitted they made a “mistake” by editing out an audience laughing at Boris Johnson.
It said cutting a clip from the Question Time leaders’ debate on Friday night had failed to reflect the reaction.
But bosses insisted the edit — made for a news bulletin — was due to time constraints not bias.
An audience member asked the PM on the Fiona Bruce-hosted show: “How important is it for someone in your position of power to always tell the truth?”
Her question was met with laughter, followed by applause, as Mr Johnson struggled to reply.
But the laughter was removed from the version shown on the next day’s lunchtime news bulletin.
It sparked a backlash on social media — and BBC chiefs initially insisted it was simply for timing reasons. But they have now admitted it was an error.
A spokesman said the clip was shortened “to edit out a repetitious phrase from Boris Johnson”.
He added: “However, in doing so we also edited out laughter from the audience.
“Although there was absolutely no intention to mislead, we accept that this was a mistake on our part, as it didn’t reflect the full reaction to Boris Johnson’s answer.”
- By Adam Bennett
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