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

Labour complains to BBC over ‘biased’ election coverage

The Labour Party has complained to the BBC, claiming the broadcaster’s election coverage is “slanted and biased”.

The party listed frustrations over “anti-Labour framing” and “the decision to allow the Conservative leader to ‘pick and choose’ his BBC platform” in a statement revealing a letter has been sent to Tony Hall, the broadcaster’s director general. 

The letter, signed by co-campaign coordinator Andrew Gwynne, claimed the broadcaster had “repeatedly shown bias in its reporting of the Labour Party and its leadership” and had failed in its “obligations to fairness and impartiality” during the 2019 general election campaign. 

Tory minister tells people to call No 10 about PM dodging Andrew Neil’s interview

Downing Street has been forced to change its telephone switchboard message after a Cabinet minister invited members of the public to ring up to find out the Prime Minister's diary details.

Michael Gove told BBC Radio 5 Live listeners to call Number 10 - and read out the number - after he was asked about the chances of Boris Johnson taking part in an interview with the corporation's veteran journalist Andrew Neil.

Presenter Chris Warburton said: "On a scale of one to 10, what's the chance of the Andrew Neil interview with Boris Johnson happening? Just give us a number?"

Mr Gove replied: "I think the number would be 0207 930 4433 - that's the Downing Street number, and if you ring the Prime Minister's diary secretary, he will know or she will know what the Prime Minister is going to do, I am not the Prime Minister's diary secretary."

Number 10 has subsequently changed its pre-recorded switchboard message.

Callers are now told: "You have reached the Downing Street switchboard.

"Unfortunately we are unable to give out any information relating to the Prime Minister's diary on this phone line.

"To listen to further contact details, please press one."

Johnson and Corbyn go head-to-head in 30 minutes...

And if you're getting ready to watch the debate in the comfort of your living room, spare a thought for the country's political journalists who are crammed into a sticky "spin room" at the television studio in Maidstone... 

Former prime ministers join forces for Final Say

This is indeed quite a moment - something that would have seemed absurd just a few years ago, let alone in 1997 when the two men stood against each other for the top job.

Five minutes to go...

With just six days until polling day, tonight's debate is seen as the last real make or break moment for Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn. 

Given the Tories' poll lead, Johnson will be aiming to do exactly what he has been trying to for most of the campaign: keep his head down, not take any risks and come through unscathed.

Corbyn, on the other hand, needs to make something happen. This is his last real opportunity to turn Labour's fortunes around and he will be desperate to land as many blows as possible on his Tory rival. Expect lots of attacks on issues such as the NHS, public services and trust. Will it make a different? We'll soon find out.

Here we go... 

The leaders are in the studio, Nick Robinson is introducing them.

Jeremy Corbyn won the coin toss and makes the first statement.

He says Labour is "ambitious for our country and ambitious for you". He says 4 million children are living in poverty, people can't get a GP appointment or social care and families are struggling with bills. Labour will put money in their pockets, save the NHS and rebuild our public services.

He says this means asking those with the broadest shoulders to pay a bit more in tax.

Boris Johnson says the Tories will get Brexit done and "unleash the potential of this whole country".

He says the only alternative to a Tory majority is a hung parliament with a coalition between between "Jeremy Corbyn and Nicola Sturgeon, with an economic agenda that would take this country back decades, and two referendums".

The first questioner asks Boris Johnson is he is concerned not to get John Major's support, and Jeremy Corbyn if he is concerned not to get Tony Blair's.

Johnson says he has great respect for all former Tory PMs but Major is wrong. He says the Tories have a fantastic deal and "unlike Mr Major" he leads a Conservative Party that is united. He turns the fire on Corbyn, asking what deal he wants and whether he backs it himself.

Corbyn says Blair and Major should "think for a moment at the reality of what nine years of austerity has done to the people of this country". He moves away from Brexit and says this is real choice about public services, including the prospect of a trade deal with Donald Trump that will damage them.

The second questioner asks both leaders to guarantee that Brexit will happen next year.

Corbyn says he can guarantee the debate will be over next year. He says he wants to represent the whole country, not just the 52% or the 48%. He says the referendum Labour would hold within six months of taking office "would be the end of the matter". He says we need to "come together and bring this issue to an end, not go down the route of sweetheart deals with the USA".

Johnson says his deal will allow the UK to leave the EU on 31 January. He asks Corbyn who is going to negotiate Labour's deal, given most of the Labour frontbench are campaigning to Remain. He says "How can you get a new deal from Brussels if you don't actually believe in it?".

Corbyn says that a Labour deal deal would ensure that, whatever the outcome of a second referendum, the UK would continue to be able to trade freely with the EU.