Brexit debate: Talks over TV showdown descend into row between May and Corbyn camps

Negotiations over a live TV Brexit debate have descended into a row after Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn demanded different formats for the event.

The prime minister’s team has agreed to a BBC proposal for the debate on the deal she agreed with Brussels, but Mr Corbyn is backing ITV’s plan.

While public statements have focused on which channel might reach a wider audience, The Independent understands there is also a disagreement over the best format.

The date of the debate is yet to be set in stone but is looking increasingly likely that if it does go ahead, it will be on Sunday 9 December.

In a tweet on its news press feed, the BBC said on Thursday morning: “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 9 December.

“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.”

The BBC One schedule on the Sunday carries 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 could 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.

But it was in part the broadcasting of the reality TV show that led Mr Corbyn to say he backed the commercial channel’s proposal.

He told 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.”

The Labour leader’s team is also said to be more keen on the ITV version because of the format, with BBC apparently suggesting the head-to-head debate could be coupled with a separate panel of interested parties who would get to ask questions of the leaders.

The ITV version meanwhile is said to be a cleaner, straight debate between Ms May and Mr Corbyn, with no one else involved.

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 6 December. 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. ITV said it has not ruled out holding its own debate.

A spokeswoman said in a statement: “ITV will confirm its coverage plans for the week of the Commons vote in due course. As part of this, ITV has invited the prime minister and leader of the opposition to appear in an ITV programme. As always, it is up to those invited to decide whether they want to accept the invitation.”