UK’S CHANNEL 4 THREATENED BY TORIES AFTER ICE SCULPTURE TAKES PMS PLACE IN DEBATE

THE PRIME MINISTER refused to show up to the Channel 4 debate on climate change, which is being attended by the other party leaders.

Speaking to The Independent, before the debate a spokesperson for Channel 4 said “The clock is ticking. The ice caps are melting. Our invitation to the prime minister remains open until 7pm tonight.”

The Climate Debate hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy, is to quiz the leaders on their policies to fight climate change. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson, Green leader Sian Berry, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, and Plaid Cymru Adam Price confirmed their attendance.

Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage have been represented in Thursday’s televised debate on climate change by melting ice sculptures, after both leaders decided not to show up.

Channel 4, which is organising the debate, said the sculptures would represent “the emergency on planet earth”.

The debate is thought to be the world’s first focusing solely on the environment and climate crisis and comes after a year in which the topic has shot up the political agenda with protests taking place nationally and globally.

The Conservatives now say they could review channel’s broadcasting remit if they win election

According to The Guardian, Conservative spokesman, Lee Cain, said he had written to Ofcom demanding an investigation, claiming Channel 4 had breached the broadcasting code with “a provocative partisan stunt” that constituted “making a political opinion in its own right”.

Channel 4’s licence runs until the end of 2024, meaning it would need renewing under any new government if the next parliament lasts a full five years.

The prime minister refusal to show up to the discussion comes as he also continues to elude an interview with BBC broadcaster Andrew Neil, who was let loose on Jeremy Corbyn earlier this week and is believed to be one of the toughest political interviewers.