United Kingdom

Mr Rennie said the Scottish people had the "right to hear from their political leaders" and criticised the Prime Minister's decision not to take part in a TV debate.

Prime Minister Theresa May has faced criticism for refusing to take part in televised debates in the run up to the General Election. There have been calls for TV broadcasters to "empty chair" Mrs May after she said she would not debate the frontmen and women of the opposition.

Mrs May’s refusal to agree to election debates failed to stop both the BBC and ITV pressing ahead with plans to stage them without her.

Television debates have, over the last seven years, become an immovable feature of the British political landscape. A staging post on the way to the polling station, a focal point on the journey to government or opposition – and, most importantly of all, a chance to speak more-or-less directly to

“Our answer is no,” a No 10 source told the Guardian when asked about whether the prime minister would join any TV debates before the 8 June election.

Theresa May will refuse to take part in televised leaders’ debates in the run-up to the June 8 general election, Number 10 sources have indicated.

The Green Party has today, 24th February 2017, welcomed the news that the BBC has reviewed its programme of election coverage and that the usual reaction discussion immediately following the Leaders’ Debate is to be reinstated.

Green Party Leader Steven Agnew has accused the BBC of “clear bias against non-traditional parties” after his party’s exclusion from an election debate to be broadcast on February 28.

Zac Goldsmith was an hour late for the final debate of the Richmond by-election because one of his campaign team accidentally ran him over on the way to the event.

Loud boos, cheers and heckling characterised Thursday’s meeting, the first of several debates ahead of a postal vote by members that will see the victor crowned on September 24.

Leading names from both sides of the EU referendum have traded blows in a live TV debate at Wembley Arena on the eve of the final day of campaigning.