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Jeremy Corbyn to take part in seven-way TV debate BBC debate: Theresa May defends no-show after Corbyn U-turn
(about 1 hour later)
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says he will take part in a seven-way BBC general election debate later. Theresa May has defended her absence from this evening's TV general election debate, saying she is taking questions "up and round the country" instead.
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, UKIP's Paul Nuttall, SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson, Green co-leader Caroline Lucas and Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood will participate. Mrs May faced repeated questions after Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn changed his position and said he would take part.
Theresa May has refused to take part in any debates, so Home Secretary Amber Rudd will be representing the Tories. The Lib Dems, UKIP, SNP, Green Party and Plaid Cymru are also on the panel for the seven-way BBC debate in Cambridge, which starts at 19:30 BST.
Labour had said that Mr Corbyn would not attend unless Mrs May was there. Home Secretary Amber Rudd will take part for the Tories.
Confirming he would be taking part, Mr Corbyn criticised the Tories for what he called "a stage-managed arms-length campaign". Mrs May has already ruled out taking part in head-to-head debates, and Labour had said that Mr Corbyn would not attend unless she was there.
But on the afternoon of the event, Mr Corbyn confirmed he would take part, and criticised the Tories for what he called "a stage-managed arms-length campaign".
"Refusing to join me in Cambridge tonight would be another sign of Theresa May's weakness, not strength," he added."Refusing to join me in Cambridge tonight would be another sign of Theresa May's weakness, not strength," he added.
Following Mr Corbyn's surprise announcement, the Conservatives said there would be "no changes" to Mrs May's plans, and that she would be meeting voters rather than "swapping sound bites with six other politicians". Taking questions during a campaign visit in Bath, Mrs May said Mr Corbyn "seems to be paying far more attention to how many appearances on telly he's doing, and he ought to be paying a little more attention to thinking about Brexit negotiations".
Analysis: By BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg Asked whether she was frightened of taking on Mr Corbyn, she said she had been doing this every week during Prime Minister's Questions, adding that it was "so important" to be taking questions from voters.
There is a buoyancy about the Labour campaign at the moment, Jeremy Corbyn's public performances have improved, and his team believe he has more to gain than to lose from taking part in this big set-piece campaign event. "That's why I've been doing that up and round the country," she added.
And for today at least, it gives Labour a tactical advantage, ammunition to portray Theresa May as cowering and afraid of making her arguments. But Lib Dem leader Tim Farron accused her of "keeping voters in the dark".
Read Laura's full blog "Theresa May called this election but now won't even turn up to debate the issues," he said.
Mishal Husain will moderate the debate, which takes place in Cambridge and will be shown on BBC One from 19:30-21:00 BST and livestreamed on Twitter.Mishal Husain will moderate the debate, which takes place in Cambridge and will be shown on BBC One from 19:30-21:00 BST and livestreamed on Twitter.
As well as Mr Corbyn and Ms Rudd, the panel will be: Mr Farron, UKIP's Paul Nuttall, SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson, Green co-leader Caroline Lucas and Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood.
Each panellist will make an opening statement before taking questions from the audience.Each panellist will make an opening statement before taking questions from the audience.
The show is the latest in a series of special broadcasts ahead of the 8 June general election.The show is the latest in a series of special broadcasts ahead of the 8 June general election.
This includes two Question Time shows - on 2 June featuring Mrs May and Mr Corbyn appearing separately and on 4 June with Mr Farron and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.This includes two Question Time shows - on 2 June featuring Mrs May and Mr Corbyn appearing separately and on 4 June with Mr Farron and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.
Andrew Neil has been carrying out a series of interviews with party leaders.Andrew Neil has been carrying out a series of interviews with party leaders.