Theresa May was slammed for refusing to take part in a BBC election debate as the other party leaders went head-to-head on Wednesday evening.
The Prime Minister said she was busy “thinking about Brexit negotiations” when quizzed over her absence beforehand, adding that Jeremy Corbyn should be doing the same.
But rival leaders Tim Farron and Caroline Lucas criticised her absence as Home Secretary Amber Rudd, whose father reportedly died on Monday, filled in instead.
“Good leaders don't run away from a debate, Theresa May undoubtedly should be here,” said Lib Dem leader Mr Farron.
“Her absence is undoubtedly the shadow that hangs over this election. How dare you call a general election and then run away from the debate?”
Ms Lucas, co-leader of the Green party, added that the “first rule of leadership is to show up”.
“You don’t call a general election and say it’s the most important election in her lifetime and then not even be bothered to come and debate the issues at stake,” she declared.
Angus Robertson, the SNP’s leader in Westminster, said "weak and wobbly" Mrs May was "not so much the Iron Lady as the U-turn Queen".
But Ms Rudd defended Mrs May’s decision to miss the debate, stating: “Part of being a good leader is having a good strong team around you and I’m proud and delighted to be here representing the Conservative party and the Prime Minister.”
She then turned on Mr Corbyn, arguing that he did not have the support of his party despite being elected leader twice.
She said: "How can he go in to negotiate with 27 different countries with such a weak team and weak support behind him?"
The fiery debate ended with short statements from each participant. Ukip’s Paul Nuttall sought to hammer home his party’s position, saying: "We have been proven right on Brexit, proved right on immigration, proved right on grammar schools, proved right on protecting our police and security services."
Ms Lucas, in her closing remarks, said Britain was at a crossroads between tolerance and openness or turning inwards towards "isolation and hate".
She said: "One more MP for the other parties makes no real difference but more Green MPs will be truly transformative."
Summing up, Mr Corbyn said the "real choice" facing Britain was between Labour and the Tories, whether for the many or the few.
Meanwhile Mr Roberston pledged to work with other parties who share the SNP's values and to provide "a strong opposition" to the Tories.
Leanne Wood, Plaid Cymru leader, said the party would stand up for the whole of the UK and would ensure Wales was not "invisible" in the UK.
The audience clapped and cheered when Mr Farron told them the Prime Minister "can't be bothered" to turn up and told them to switch over to the Great British Bake Off.
He added: "You're not worth Theresa May's time. Don't give her yours."
The final comments came from Ms Rudd, who sought to point out the strength and consistency of the Tories in the face of Brexit.
She said: "You have heard the squabbling and discord of disagreement here tonight.
"You have seen the coalition of chaos here in action but in the quiet of the polling booth you have a clear choice.
"A vote for anyone other than Theresa May is a vote for Jeremy Corbyn and that coalition."
General Election 2017 Campaign - In pictures
