BBC leaders debate - live: Corbyn and Boris Johnson clash on racism, security and Brexit as snap poll finds viewers thought PM edged encounter

Anger as Boris Johnson refuses to attend his own constituency hustings

Boris Johnson has been accused of thinking he is “above accountability” after refusing to attend his own constituency hustings – despite locals rearranging the event to make it easier for him to be held up to public scrutiny.

The prime minister has faced criticism for declining interviews from both the BBC’s Andrew Neil and ITV’s Julie Etchingham after Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn featured on the programmes of both.

Now local polticians have said they too are being sidelines by the PM’s determination to avoid scrutiny after Mr Johnson failed to attend a hustings event in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency. 

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Boris Johnson's Brexit envoy to US resigns with furious attack on government 'peddling half-truths'

The lead Brexit envoy in the UK's embassy in Washington has resigned, saying she can no longer "peddle half-truths" on behalf of political leaders she does not trust, it has been reported.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We won’t comment on the detail of an individual’s resignation.”

Two former PMs to speak Final Say rally 

Tony Blair and Sir John Major will both address a major rally for a Final Say referendum tonight, as the election campaign enters its final week.

The event, organised in partnership with The Independent, will also see Lord Hesletine, David Gauke and Alastair Campbell make a plea to voters to back another referendum.

It comes as Sir John, a former Tory PM, made an explosive intervention in the campaign, urging voters to back rebel candidates fighting a hard Brexit.

At the rally, Sir John will say that Mr Johnson’s decision to pursue “the worst foreign policy decision in my lifetime” risks breaking up the UK and making the country poorer and weaker.

Watch Sir John Major explain why it is so important to keep Boris Johnson out of power

Final Say rally kicks off

Young activist Isi Daley speaks first. She urges voters to put party politics aside "or we will all lose".

Daley, who is a member of For our Futures Sake, "The priority for this election is simple. Stop Johnson from winning a majority."

David Gauke says this country's interests require us to Remain

Next up - the father of David Gauke, a former Tory minister who was sacked by Boris Johnson for rebelling on Brexit. Gauke's Dad became an unlikely social media star after appearing in one of his campaign videos.

He tells the audience he is prouder now than he was when his son was in the cabinet.

Gauke says he is surprised to find himself here as he tried to make Brexit work for a long time. But he says this country's interests require us to Remain.

He says the pursuit of Brexit at any cost is "totally contrary to the traditions of a once great political party".

"A majority for the Conservative Party next Thursday would be a disaster for this country," he says.

Everyone must make a stand and use their voice and their votes to ensure that does not happen, Gauke adds.

Expelled Tory David Gauke introduced by his dad Jim

Sir John Major appeals to voters to cast their ballot with their "head as well as their heart"

The ex-Tory PM appears by video, to appeal to voters to back rebel independents rather than Boris Johnson's party. We broke a story on his extraordinary intervention earlier today (see here).

He introduces his former political rival Tony Blair - saying "In words I never thought would pass my lips, Tony over to you".

Blair jokes he never thought he would say: "Thank God for John Major".

Six days to save our future, says Tony Blair

Blair issues a rallying cry to voters to overturn Brexit at the ballot box - saying there are only "six days to save our future".

He tells his peers that they should listen to young voters, who have their fingers on the pulse, and says they should be ashamed for taking young people's futures away.

Blair describes the events of tonight as "surreal", that he would share a stage and a common purpose with so many people across the political divide.

He says Brexiteers "derided" Sir John Major and himself for warning about the dangers of Brexit for the Irish border. He says the DUP learned to their cost that "you cannot trust Boris Johnson".

Mixing Brexit with election is "undemocratic" says Blair

Ex-PM says the public should be asked the question on Brexit directly rather than have the issue mixed up with all of the important domestic issues.

"Unfortunately the distraction of Brexit does not diminish the importance of it," he says.

Blair goes on: "People say we fought two world wars. We didn't fight those world wars so European nations would become isolated... What folly it is to cast this progress aside."

He adds: "This election may determine a government lasting for 5 years. But its consequences may last for generations.

"Do not give Boris Johnson a majority - he does not deserve it."

Pointing to the expulsion of moderate Conservatives, including Philip Hammond, he says the party cannot be trusted.