Leaders Trade Insults Over TV Debates At PMQs

There have been vicious exchanges during Prime Minister's Questions as David Cameron and Ed Miliband clashed for a second week running over the election debates.

Broadcasters say they will go ahead with the debates without the Prime Minister after he ruled out proposals for two debates with the seven party leaders and one head-to-head clash with Mr Miliband.

During very personal exchanges at PMQs, the Labour leader said Mr Cameron was using "pathetic feeble excuses" and "ridiculous tactics" as he challenged him to meet on the three dates.

"You are not going to be able to wriggle off this ... There is only one person preparing for defeat and it is this Prime Minister," Mr Miliband said.

"We know you lost to the Deputy Prime Minister last time, why don't you just cut out the feeble excuses and admit the truth: you are worried you might lose again."

In response, Mr Cameron claimed the Labour leader was trying to "crawl into Downing Street" with the Scottish National Party's help.

"You want to talk about the future of a television programme, I want to talk about the future of the country," Mr Cameron said.

"The truth is you are weak and despicable and want to crawl to power into Alex Salmond's pocket."

Mr Miliband then said to the PM: "Why are you chickening out of the debates with me?"

"Everyone can see it. I'll tell you why this matters because it goes to your character. The public will see through your feeble excuses," he said.

"Instead of these ridiculous tactics, why don't you show a bit more backbone and turn up for the head-to-head debate with me? Any time, anywhere, any place."

The Prime Minister replied: "I'll tell you what goes to character: someone who is prepared to crawl into Downing Street in alliance with people who want to break up the future of our country.

"What a despicable and weak thing to do: risking our defences, risking our country, risking our United Kingdom.

"If you had an ounce of courage you would rule it out."

Mr Cameron said: "You have been offered a debate and you won't take it. Any time, any place, anywhere but you won't take it."

The Prime Minister has claimed the debates in 2010 got in the way of campaigning and so says any debate should take place before 30 March.

His chief spin doctor, Craig Oliver, said at the weekend the Prime Minister's "final position" was for a single debate to take place in the week starting 23 March.

The four broadcasters - the BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 - have said they will stick to their previously announced plans for three debates during the campaign ahead of the General Election on 7 May.

Meanwhile, a ComRes poll for ITV News found that most people (64%) believe Mr Cameron has damaged his reputation by trying to avoid the debates with other leaders.

The poll also found that 71% of people think the debates should still happen even if the Prime Minister does not take part.