Jeremy Hunt labels BBC 'absolute joke' over timing of Tory leadership debate
3 min read
Jeremy Hunt has labelled the BBC an “absolute joke” for organising a Tory leadership debate ten days after ballots have been sent to party members.
The Foreign Secretary accused the broadcaster of “caving to Lynton Crosby”, the political strategist believed to be advising his rival Boris Johnson.
Mr Hunt’s extraordinary attack comes after he took part in a debate on Sky News on Monday night by himself because Mr Johnson refused to take part.
He has repeatedly been critical of his predecessor at the Foreign Office over a failure to agree to appear together in the TV studios, calling him a “coward”.
In his tweet Mr Hunt writes: “Just been invited by BBC’s Fran Unsworth to live TV debate against Boris on 16 July - AFTER around 90% of members have voted.
“Absolute joke to give the appearance of a debate whilst knowing it can have ZERO influence on campaign.
“Also very disrespectful to members and the public.”
Ms Unsworth is the director of news and current affairs for BBC News.
The ballots are due to be sent to grassroots Conservatives to decide between the final two candidates this weekend, with the only two confirmed head-to-head debates between the pair due to take place on Tuesday, 9 July on ITV, and the 15th with The Sun.
Mr Johnson also refused to take part in one of the two TV debates in the first part of the contest to replace Theresa May, resulting in Channel 4 News leaving an empty podium where he would have been.
Mr Hunt followed up his BBC broadside with another tweet, calling on the broadcaster to follow Channel 4's lead and “empty chair” his fellow candidate.
He also blamed Mr Johnson’s strategy on Mr Crosby, the Australian elections guru who help guide him to victory as mayor of London in 2008 and 2012.
Writing: “Other broadcasters had the courage to empty chair no shows. What happened to scrutiny without fear or favour at the BBC?
“Many Beeb journalists will be deeply uncomfortable at this caving to Lynton Crosby. Come on BBC - this is for OUR PRIME MINISTER!”
A spokesman for the BBC said they “don’t think it’s reasonable to empty chair” Mr Johnson as he has already agreed to other media appearances with the broadcaster during the contest.
They said in a statement to PoliticsHome: “The BBC is keen to host a Question Time Special debate with both remaining candidates and has been trying to agree a date which works.
“Both candidates have already taken part in the first BBC debate, both have been interviewed by our political editor, and both have agreed in principle to participate in a Question Time special.
“We don’t think it’s reasonable to empty chair people who have already participated in interviews and debates and have agreed to take part again.”
Justifying the timing of the debate, they added: “Clearly any date needs to fit in with the candidates’ existing commitments such as hustings and other TV appearances.
“July 16 is before the last Conservative hustings and the voting will still be open.
“But, crucially, our debate is about the next Prime Minister and we think it’s important both candidates speak to the whole of the UK, as well as the members of the Conservative Party.
"We have also invited both candidates to be interviewed consecutively by Andrew Neil for a BBC One special.”
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