Brexit Party drops out of Channel 4 TV leaders’ debate claiming broadcaster is pro-Remain

Nigel Farages party claimed they stepped back out of concern that the broadcaster will not conduct the debate in a fair and objective way. Photo: Danny Lawson/PA Wire - Credit: PA

The Brexit Party has dropped out of this Thursday’s leaders’ debate hosted by Channel 4, who the group say are too pro-Remain.

We won't be taking part in Channel 4's special programme on Thursday night. 

Read more below. ?? pic.twitter.com/bMoDkQMMmx
— The Brexit Party (@brexitparty_uk) November 26, 2019

Nigel Farage’s party claimed they stepped back out of concern that the broadcaster will not conduct the debate “in a fair and objective way”.

Boris Johnson had already disagreed about taking part in the debate, which had planned to ban talk about Brexit and instead focus on policy and climate change.

It is intended to be a one-hour special involving seven politicians, hosted by anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

The Brexit Party tweeted: “The Brexit Party will not be taking part in Channel 4’s special programme on Thursday night.

“We have no faith that the broadcaster will conduct this debate in a fair and objective way.

“Brexit is the defining issue of our age and the fact that Channel 4 does not want to discuss it speaks volumes about this broadcaster and its Remain position.”

READ MORE: Channel 4 to host election debate – but Brexit will be bannedOn Monday Krishnan Guru-Murthy tweeted: “This Thursday Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon, Jo Swinson and Sian Berry will join the #ClimateDebate thousands have been calling for this election.

“If you are a Boris Johnson or Nigel Farage supporter and you want them to address this issue too pls encourage them to come.”

A spokesperson for Channel 4 News said: “Nigel Farage has appeared dozens of times on Channel 4 News in the past few years as we have covered Brexit on an almost nightly basis across hundreds of hours of broadcasting which has fulfilled all the OFCOM requirements of balance and impartiality with all sides heard equally and repeatedly.

“There can scarcely be anyone in the country who thinks Brexit has not been discussed enough, and whilst the Brexit party may feel it is the most important issue in this election and will probably continue to be for the next few years at least, Climate Change is surely an issue which will affect us all for decades and gets minimal airtime in comparison.

“Climate Change in the context of Brexit is a lesser examined aspect, so we would still be delighted to see Mr Farage appear in this debate and the invitation for Thursday evening therefore remains open.”