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Gordon Brown was today accused of scuppering the first appearance of all three major party leaders on live television.
The Prime Minister, David Cameron and Nick Clegg were today giving evidence to a parliamentary inquiry and were expected to hold a three-way debate in front of the cameras. But last night it was announced that the trio would give evidence separately.
Conservative chairman Eric Pickles claimed No 10 had vetoed the idea of a joint showing in case Mr Brown was outshone. Writing on Twitter, he said: "PM has pulled out of first Leaders TV debate - now Party Leaders will speak separately to Speaker's Conference on diversity in Parliament." This was denied by Downing Street, which said the decision was taken by Speaker John Bercow.
But a senior Tory official added: "We were under the clear impression that the three leaders would sit together and answer questions together. David was up for it - we believed it would lead to a better quality of debate."
Under the rules announced last night, the three leaders will give evidence for exactly 20 minutes each with no opportunity to engage with each other.
A senior No 10 insider said Mr Bercow decided on the rules and accused the Conservatives of being two-faced. "It was the Prime Minister's idea to have this event and the Tories initially refused to participate at all," he said.
Mr Bercow's officials said a three-way debate was rejected as a less "effective" way of conducting the session.
Reader views (7)
"Conservative chairman Eric Pickles claimed No 10 had vetoed the idea of a joint showing in case Mr Brown was outshone."
"in case McBroon was outshone" LOL! I don't think there would have been much chance of anything else, even by Clegg!
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 20/10/2009 16:32
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I realise that under Labour we've officially given up on a real education, but maybe somebody could buy the speaker a dictionary for Christmas? Try looking up the meaning of equality.
- Mark, London, 20/10/2009 12:22
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When your name is Gormless Brown and you are The Dictator of a wholly corrupt Third World banana republic Police State once known as Great Britain, you can block whatever you like.
Really?
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 20/10/2009 10:29
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We should have the best person for the job - not someone because she or he is black, white, green, blue, gay, straight, halfway, etc, etc, etc.
- Very Very Angry At Paying Tax For Mp'S Expeses, Home Counties, 20/10/2009 10:09
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More Positive Discrimination!
- Gareth, London, 20/10/2009 08:05
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Surely, it should be up to the public to decide who represents them in Parliament, not a committee of MPs?
There is no such thing as "positive" discrimination.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 20/10/2009 07:58
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The pc bunch at it again.Yes,lets appoint people according to their race,sex or handicap rather than if they have any ability to do the job.Grow up UK,if you want to impress the World,try dealing with the massive poverty here,try going through a winter were your pensioners do not Die of cold because they can not afford heating.
- Dave, london, 20/10/2009 07:25
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