Theresa May set to duck TV election debates despite goading from Jeremy Corbyn and calls by Tim Farron for BBC to ‘empty chair’ her

THERESA May is set to avoid any TV debates ahead of the snap General Election despite goading from Jeremy Corbyn.

There are also calls by Tim Farron and Nicola Sturgeon for the BBC to ‘empty chair’ the Prime Minister if she refuses to show for the televised set-pieces.

But Downing Street insists she does not have to turn up as “the choice is already clear” ahead of the vote on June 8.

Seen by some as a sign of supreme confidence with the Tories 20 points clear of Labour in the polls, it has also led to criticism she is avoiding scrutiny over the decision to take Britain back to the ballot box.

Mrs May stunned Westminster this morning with her shock announcement, deciding to reverse months of denials she would call a snap election while on a walking holiday with her husband.

But talk has quickly moved to the campaign, and whether the debates which were such a feature of the last contest in 2015 would take place.

But asked if the PM was on board a Tory spokesman said: “No. The choice at this election is already clear.

“A strong and stable leadership in the national interest with Theresa May and the Conservatives or weak and unstable coalition Government led by Jeremy Corbyn.”

Another source insisted she had already been grilled on TV about her decision, and ruled out her appearing on stage with her rivals, adding: "Our answer is no".

That response has drawn ridicule from the Labour leader, with Jeremy Corbyn tweeting: “If this General Election is about leadership, as Theresa May said this morning, she should not be dodging head-to-head TV debates.”

In a statement he added: "Elections and democracy are about public debate.

“So it’s rather strange that only a couple of hours after calling for a General Election, the Prime Minister is saying she’s not going to take part in TV debates.

“I say to Theresa May, who said this election was about leadership: come on and show some.

“Let’s have the debates. It's what democracy needs and what the British people deserve."

And the Lib Dem boss Time Farron said broadcasters have a “moral duty” to hold TV debates, and should ‘empty chair’ the PM if she refuses to take part.

He tweeted at her with reference to the 1992 election, when they both unsuccessfully stood for the North West Durham seat, asking: “You debated me in 1992, so debate me now. What changed?

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon agreed, saying: “If [the] PM doesn’t have the confidence to debate her plans on TV with other leaders, broadcasters should empty chair her and go ahead anyway.”