‘Empty chair’ threat over TV election debates

British broadcasters have threatened to embarrass Prime Minister David Cameron by proposing to “empty chair” any political party leader who refuses to take part in live televised debates planned for the general election campaign.

In a joint statement, the four major broadcasters confirmed plans for a 7-7-2 format, under which two debates hosted by BBC and ITV would feature the leaders of Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Ukip, the Greens, Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru, and a third on Channel 4 and Sky would pit David Cameron against Ed Miliband in a head-to-head clash of the men most likely to emerge as prime minister.

The broadcasters said if any of the leaders decide not to participate, “the debates would take place with those who accepted the invitation”.