Miliband Throws Down Gauntlet On TV Debates

Ed Miliband has thrown down the gauntlet on a head-to-head TV debate, saying he will take on David Cameron any time, anywhere.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Miliband said: "David Cameron said today that he would do the live TV debate with me as long as it happened earlier than currently planned.

"Well, that's fine by me. I'll do it any time, any place, anywhere.

"I want these TV debates to happen because I think the British public deserves it and David Cameron should now name the date."

Asked if he was committed to taking part in two other political debates involving rival parties, Mr Miliband replied: "I want these debates to happen.

"I want the seven-way debate to happen. I want the two-way debate to happen.

"And I think the British public needs them to happen. Frankly, David Cameron first of all made the excuses about the Greens. Then the Greens were invited.

"Then he talked about Northern Ireland. And now he's saying he doesn't like the timing of the debates.

"I'm saying to David Cameron that it's time to stand up and be counted, because the British public deserve these debates to happen, I want them to happen, and frankly he should stop making excuses and wriggling."

:: Sky News' Stand Up Be Counted campaign

Mr Miliband's comments come after angry exchanges during Prime Minister's Questions earlier on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister was asked three times if he would debate with Mr Miliband prior to May's General Election.

After the final question, Mr Cameron said: "I have been very clear, I have said get on with the debates before the election campaign begins, I think we should start now."

Sky News and Channel 4 have proposed to host a head-to-head between the two candidates on 30 April.

A Sky News and Channel 4 spokesman said: "Sky News and Channel 4 are continuing to prepare for a head-to-head debate between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition on 30th April.

"However, in response to media inquiries following today's PMQs, we would obviously be willing to host a debate on a different date the two main party leaders could agree on."

The BBC and ITV have proposed each staging a debate involving Mr Cameron, Mr Miliband, Nick Clegg, the Greens' Natalie Bennett, Nigel Farage of UKIP, the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon and Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood.