Nicola Sturgeon: '˜Travesty' if voices shut out of Brexit TV debate

It would be a 'travesty of democracy' if a range of political voices are frozen out of a televised Brexit debate, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Nicola Sturgeon says it will be a 'travesty of democracy' if political voices are shut out from the live TV debate over Brexit. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The BBC announced today that Prime Minister Theresa May had agreed to debate Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Sunday, 9 December.

Mrs May has previously rejected calls for other political parties to take part in the debate.

Mr Corbyn is yet to agree to the debate taking place on BBC, indicating a preference for ITV’s Brexit debate proposal.

The SNP, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party have all said they should be included.

Ms Sturgeon tweeted: “If this or any Brexit TV debate goes ahead without all options, including that of remaining in the EU, being included and given a voice, it will be an absolute travesty of democracy.”

Channel 4 presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy suggested the broadcaster would host a debate on Brexit that included “the actual options”.

Mr Guru-Murthy wrote on Twitter: “Whatever happens Channel 4 will want to do the Real Brexit Debate - with the likes of Boris Johnson, Nicola Sturgeon, Chuka Umunna debating the actual options.

“I’m sorry to say this about esteemed colleagues, but the BBC ‘debate’ idea sounds like gimmicky crap.

“The ITV ‘keep it simple’ thing is much more sensible.”