EU referendum debate: Sadiq Khan attacks Boris Johnson and Leave campaign for 'project hate' - as it happened

Mr Johnson responds by accusing Remain of resorting to 'Project Fear'

Tuesday 21 June 2016 14:52 EDT

Boris Johnson, Gisela Stuart and Andrea Leadsom during The Great Debate (PA)

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Boris Johnson and Sadiq Khan have gone head-to-head in the biggest live debate ahead of Thursday's EU referendum. Here are the latest updates:

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Sadiq Khan accused Boris Johnson and Leave campaigners of peddling “project hate” against immigrants to try and scare voters into leaving the European Union in a live BBC debate.

The London Mayor rounded on his predecessor to claim Vote Leave was “scaremongering” by claiming Turkey would imminently join the EU and extend the union's outer border to Syria and Iraq.

But in front of a boisterous 6,000-strong audience at Wembley Arena, Mr Johnson received a standing ovation from parts of the audience when he declared that polling day “could be our country's independence day”.

The event saw members of the same party repeatedly clashing, with Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson directly attacking Mr Johnson, and Mr Khan and Labour Leave campaigner Gisela Stuart criticising each other.

Some of the most heated clashes came over immigration - seen as a strong area for the Leave camp.

Mr Khan accused Mr Johnson of running a campaign of hate against migrants, and drew howls of protest from the audience after praising David Cameron's renegotiated deal with the EU.

"Your campaign hasn't been project fear, it's been project hate as far as immigration is concerned," he told his rival.

Mr Johnson hit back - pointing out the current London Mayor had previously said that those concerned about immigration should not be accused of prejudice.

“When you've got numbers running at 184,000 net from the EU, 77,000 coming without even the offer of a job last year, it's obviously time to take back control," he said.

But Mr Khan said Leave campaigners were scaring people into voting for Brexit by telling “lies”, such as claiming Turkey would soon join the EU.

Mr Cameron previously said Turkish EU membership is unlikely before the year 3000.

The debate was the final major television event before voters go to the polls on 23 June, with the final day of campaigning on Wednesday.

The EU referendum debate has so far been characterised by bias, distortion and exaggeration. So until 23 June we we’re running a series of question and answer features that explain the most important issues in a detailed, dispassionate way to help inform your decision.

What is Brexit and why are we having an EU referendum?

Does the UK need to take more control of its sovereignty?

Could the UK media swing the EU referendum one way or another?

Will the UK benefit from being released from EU laws?

Will we gain or lose rights by leaving the European Union?

Will Brexit mean that Europeans have to leave the UK?

Will leaving the EU lead to the break-up of the UK?

What will happen to immigration if there's Brexit?

Will Brexit make the UK more or less safe?

Will the UK benefit from being released from EU laws?

Will leaving the EU save taxpayers money and mean more money for the NHS?

What will Brexit mean for British tourists booking holidays in the EU?