Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn to appear on a Question Time election debate special – but WON’T face each other
David Dimbleby will host the show in which leaders will face audience questions one after the other
THERESA MAY and Jeremy Corbyn will both take part in a Question Time election special - but they won't go head-to-head.
Veteran BBC journalist David Dimbleby will host the show in which leaders will face audience questions one after the other.
It is part of at least ten HOURS of prime time election programmes the BBC will put on as part of their coverage - which will include a SEVEN way debate with major spokespeople from all the main parties.
On June 2 the two leaders will take part in a special broadcast live from York.
This format is identical to that in which David Cameron and Ed Miliband did in the 2015 vote - where the then-Labour leader tumbled off the stage in a dramatic exit.
Jonathan Munro, Head of BBC Newsgathering said today: "It is firmly in the public interest for audiences to hear from those seeking election.
"We know they connect with these formats because they are a public moment to focus on and audience members from all across the country get the chance to ask politicians their own questions.”
ITV and the BBC had repeatedly said they would hold debates whether the PM turned up or not.
Opposition leaders encouraged the broadcasters to empty chair her if she refused to come.
The PM's advisers have been in talks, but insisted they would not u-turn on her vow to boycott head-to-head showdowns.
She told an audience of supporters in Harrow this morning she wanted to get out and meet ordinary voters on the doorstep instead.
And Mr Corbyn said without the PM, he wouldn't do it either.
The BBC will also show a seven-way debate on election issues by senior spokespeople from the Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, SNP, Plaid Cymru, Greens and Ukip.
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Mr Dimbleby will also do a second leaders' special with Lib Dem chief Tim Farron, and SNP boss Nicola Sturgeon at a later date - and a special programme for Northern Ireland too.
Questions will also put to Plaid leader Leanne Wood in Swansea, and to Paul Nuttall in Bristol too.
The Beeb will run a debate just for young people during the campaign - and Andrew Neil will run a series of interviews with all of the leaders where he will quiz them individually.
Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn will also each be interviewed on The One Show during the campaign "to find out about the person behind the politics".
The PM and her husband, Philip, who normally stays firmly away from the media spotlight, will be quizzed tomorrow evening at 7pm.
