Brexit debate challenge put to David Cameron

David Cameron was challenged to a debate by senior pro-Brexit Tories after he accused them of lying to voters about the risks of leaving the EU.

Vote Leave said a hastily-arranged press conference by the prime minister betrayed “panic” in the Remain camp and suggested he was “too chicken” to take on opponents directly.

In a joint statement, Michael Gove and Boris Johnson said the public “deserve the chance to hear these issues debated face-to-face between the prime minister and a spokesman for Vote Leave so they can judge for themselves which is the safer choice”.

Ukip MP Douglas Carswell accused Remain and the premier of being in a “blind panic” because the country was “rejecting his campaign of fear”.

“The prime minister says we need a proper debate about the facts, but he is too chicken to take on anyone from the Vote Leave campaign head-to-head,” he said.

Justice Secretary Mr Gove and ex-London mayor Mr Johnson threw down the gauntlet after their party leader summoned journalists to make a fresh assault on the Leave campaign.

Mr Cameron urged voters to “listen to the experts” about the risks of divorce with Brussels.