Boris Johnson 'snubs Channel 4 leadership clash' amid fears of 'debate fatigue'

Channel 4 claims Boris Johnson snubbed a televised leadership clash scheduled for this weekend with one his party's rising stars warning of "debate fatigue".

Louisa Compton, a producer for the broadcaster, said Channel 4 was "unable to secure agreement" from the PM's team.

While Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who would have presented the debate, said Mr Johnson's team "didn't want him to go head-to-head with Jeremy Corbyn on Channel 4".

Despite Ms Compton suggesting it could be cancelled, Mr Guru-Murthy said he hoped the programme would go ahead with other party leaders who have been invited to discuss climate change.

He wrote: "After weeks of negotiations Boris Johnson’s team didn’t want him to go head to head with Jeremy Corbyn on Channel 4. We hope instead he will join the leaders of Labour, the SNP, Lib Dems and Green Party who have all agreed to debate climate change. Nigel Farage is invited too."

Rishi Sunak, chief secretary to the Treasury, was quizzed on the issue this morning and said: "People are going to see plenty of the Prime Minister on telly."

Speaking to GMB, he said Mr Johnson had no problem with Channel 4, instead suggesting his not taking part was to allow him to fulfil a range of other media commitments.

"We are everywhere, we're talking on every platform. It's not just about being on tele," he said.

Commenting on all the election build-up he said: "People will have debate fatigue."

The Standard has contacted the Conservative Party for comment.