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Deal reached on TV leadership election debates

Broadcasters have confirmed the dates when the televised leaders debates will go ahead.

David Cameron and Ed Miliband will take part in a live question and answer programme on Channel 4 and Sky News on March 26th but will not have a debate.

A debate with all of the seven party leaders will be broadcast on ITV on April 2nd.

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Labour accuse Cameron of 'cowardice' over debates

David Cameron and Ed Miliband will take part in a programme on March 26th but will not have a debate. Credit: Matt Dunham / PA WIRE

The Labour Party has accused David Cameron of "cowardice" over his decision not to debate with Ed Miliband during a special leadership programme in the run up to the general election.

Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband have agreed to separate interviews and a Q&A session with an audience on Channel 4 and Sky News on March 26th, but they will be on the stage separately and will not take part in a debate.

In a statement Labour said the two broadcasters did not want to have a head-to-head debate without the Prime Minister and so had proposed to change the format.

We have therefore, and with great reluctance, agreed to a change in the format of the programme.

“David Cameron and Ed Miliband will now attend the same programme and take the same questions from the same audience.

“But due to the cowardice of David Cameron the two leaders will not be on stage at the same time to debate each other.

“The Conservative Party has also objected to the second debate on the 16th April.

“We have made clear we will attend this second debate. But, again at the Conservative Party's insistence, Nick Clegg is to be excluded.

We hope that even at this late stage David Cameron will rethink both his decision not to take part on the 16th April and to veto Nick Clegg's participation.

– The Labour Party

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