Theresa May accepts BBC Brexit debate but Jeremy Corbyn prefers ITV

Theresa May has agreed to take part in a BBC debate on her Brexit deal – but Jeremy Corbyn favours ITV, citing the I’m A Celebrity final.

The BBC said the political TV event will take place on Sunday December 9, but has not yet announced a time.

Its BBC One evening schedule is packed with big hits such as Doctor Who, the Strictly Come Dancing results show and Sir David Attenborough’s new series, Dynasties.

If the debate aired straight after the Strictly semi-final results show, it would be boosted by the 9.6 million viewers already watching the channel.

An hour-long 8pm slot would also avoid a clash with the I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! final, which airs at 9pm on ITV.

The BBC said it hopes “to hear soon from the Labour Party” on whether leader Mr Corbyn will join the TV event.

But Mr Corbyn told TV show This Morning: “The ITV offer seemed a sensible one.

“It reaches a wider audience and the timing looked good to me because it’s not inconveniencing people who want to watch other things later in the evening.

“One should always have respect for the viewers and also we want to get the widest possible audience,” he said.

And he added of the I’m A Celebrity final: “Maybe I want to watch it myself as well.”

Asked if their disagreement meant that the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition would be debating on opposite channels, he said: “Well, it would be quite difficult actually, wouldn’t it?”

“All I know is that I’ve accepted the idea of the debate, very happy to do so…” he told This Morning presenters Phillip Schofield and Rochelle Humes.

In a tweet on its news press feed, the BBC said: “We’ve just heard the Prime Minister has accepted the BBC’s offer to take part in a debate on the Brexit deal on Sunday December 9.

“We’re delighted she’s agreed and hope to hear soon from the Labour Party.

“We have been discussing debate formats with both parties and will announce further details soon.”

Downing Street and the Leader of the Opposition’s office are believed to have sat down with the four main broadcasters to hear their pitches before deciding on who to go with.

Number 10’s preference is said to have been the BBC, as it was the most “rounded” and focused on the Prime Minister’s deal, not the wider political situation.

The BBC had initially suggested the debate would take place on Thursday December 6.

Prime Minister’s Questions
Prime Minister’s Questions

But after Mr Corbyn’s office expressed a preference to go with ITV’s offer of a Sunday night broadcast, it offered to switch to Sunday as well.

Downing Street was reportedly happy to go with that option, and it is now waiting for Labour to say whether it is willing to proceed.

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