Broadcasters step up debate pressure on PM
Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Friday, 02, Oct 2009 04:45
By Matthew Champion.
Gordon Brown is under more pressure to accede to a live televised debate with David Cameron and Nick Clegg after the UK's leading broadcasters outlined a joint proposal to show it.
The BBC, ITV and Sky have written to Labour, the Tories and Liberal Democrats with a pitch that would see each broadcaster responsible for filming and producing one of three debates.
"Each of the three debates would be transmitted live by the originating broadcaster in peak time and made available to all other British broadcasters subsequently," a statement said.
"The broadcasters have formed a joint team to discuss detailed plans with the political parties.
"Each of the broadcasters will seek to make suitable arrangements for ensuring due impartiality across the UK."
Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg have both already agreed in principle to live televised debates, with only Mr Brown yet to confirm.
Sky News, which originally launched a campaign to hold such a debate - which would make UK political history - said it would represent the prime minister with an empty chair if he did not take part.
Mr Brown's leader's speech to the Labour party conference this week was expected to include a segment on the debates but he failed to mention them.
Lord Mandelson told inthenews.co.uk the government would "come back" to the issue at a later date.