Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has challenged the Prime Minister to a face off at tonight’s leader’s debate.
Theresa May previously declined to take part in a series of televised debates in the run up to next week’s General Election – a position also taken by Mr Corbyn.
However, with just hours to go until the debate and with the Conservatives floundering in the polls, Mr Corbyn has announced he will appear and has challenged Mrs May to show up and defend her record.
Urging the Prime Minister to ‘come and have a chat’, Mr Corbyn told activists in Reading: “It’s very odd that we have an election campaign where we go out and talk to people all the time and the Prime Minister seems to have difficulties in meeting anyone or having a debate.
“There is a debate in Cambridge tonight.
“I don’t know what she is doing this evening, but it’s not far from London.
“I invite her to go to Cambridge and debate her policies, debate their record, debate their plans, debate their proposals and let the public make up their mind.”
“I don’t know what she’s doing this evening… I invite her to debate”: @jeremycorbyn invites @theresa_may to TV debate pic.twitter.com/3Kfk2f6dmw
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 31, 2017
He added: “I will be taking part in tonight’s debate because I believe we must give people the chance to hear and engage with the leaders of the main parties before they vote.
“I have never been afraid of a debate in my life. Labour’s campaign has been about taking our polices to people across the country and listening to the concerns of voters.
“The Tories have been conducting a stage-managed arms-length campaign and have treated the public with contempt. Refusing to join me in Cambridge tonight would be another sign of Theresa May’s weakness, not strength.”
Also appearing in the BBC debate will be Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, Ukip’s Paul Nuttall, Green co-leader Caroline Lucas, Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood and the SNP’s depute leader Angus Robertson, who leads the party’s MPs at Westminster.
However it remains to be seen whether Mrs May will choose to step up and take the place of Home Secretary Amber Rudd.
The debate will be broadcast at 7.30pm on BBC One, with full coverage and analysis available on The Press and Journal website.