Tory leadership race: MPs vying to become PM set to take part in live debate on Channel 4

Tory leadership hopefuls will take part in a debate on Channel 4
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Katy Clifton5 June 2019
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Tory leadership hopefuls will take part in a live televised debate on June 16, it has been announced.

The 90-minute event on Channel 4 will take place after the first round of votes by Tory MPs, when some of the outsiders from the race are expected to be removed.

Held in front of a live studio audience, the debate will be hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy and follow the first ballot of Conservative MPs on June 13.

Ian Katz, Channel 4's director of programmes, said that with only Tory MPs and party members voting to decide the next Prime Minister, "it's vital that they are properly tested before the wider electorate".

"There has been a dismaying trend in recent years towards major politicians avoiding taking part in televised debates but we're hopeful that this will mark a return to healthy public scrutiny of candidates for our highest office," he said.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy will host a leadership debate
PA Archive/PA Images

Sky and the BBC have already set out plans for TV events throughout the Tory leadership contest.

The BBC announced plans for a debate to take place in mid-June which will be moderated by the journalist Emily Maitlis.

The final two candidates will also be invited to take part in a special edition of Question Time where they will be asked questions by an audience.

On Sky News, the two final candidates will take part in a live debate with a studio audience made up of Conservative voters presented by journalist Kay Burley.

The 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers agreed to change the rules for leadership elections to quickly eliminate candidates with little support.

Candidates will need to win five per cent of votes, 16 Tory MPs, in the first ballot and then 10 per cent, 32 MPs, in the second in order to progress in the leadership race.

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