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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Politics
Tom Herbert

Tory leadership debates: When are they on TV and which election candidates will take part?

Tory hopefuls vying to succeed Theresa May as Prime Minister are set to appear on TV in a series of live televised debates.

Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove, Dominic Raab, Sajid Javid and Rory Stewart all committed to taking part in the BBC and Channel 4 debates.

Boris Johnson also confirmed on Friday that he will take part in the first debate on the BBC, but will not take part in the one on Channel 4.

The broadcaster has said he will be represented by an empty chair if he does not take part.

Here's all you need to know about the Tory leadership debates which will be on TV in the coming days.

When are the debates happening?

The BBC said it plans to host two debates during the leadership race, the first of which will take place at 8pm on Tuesday, June 18.

Called "Our Next Prime Minister", the live debate will be hosted by Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis.

It will feature the remaining candidates, who have made it through the second ballot, which also takes place on Tuesday.

They will be invited to appear on the show and will be asked questions from viewers live on air.

The final two candidates will also later be invited to take part in a special edition of Question Time with Fiona Bruce, where they will be asked questions by an audience.

Channel 4 plans to host a 90-minute debate at 6.30pm on Sunday, which it has offered to the six remaining candidates. It will be hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

Meanwhile Sky News said it has plans to organise its own head-to-head debate with the final two candidates.

The live debate will be in front of a studio audience and hosted by Kay Burley.

Who will take part in the debates?

All of the remaining candidates, including Mr Johnson, have committed to appear on Tuesday's BBC debate.

In a joint statement, Mr Hunt, Mr Gove, Mr Raab, Mr Javid and Mr Stewart said the leadership contest was "a critical moment" for both the UK and the Conservative party.

Mr Johnson has also now confirmed that he will take part, describing the BBC debate as the "best forum" for the candidates to debate.

But he said he would not appear in the Channel 4 debate, suggesting it would be too "cacophonous".

By the time the BBC debate takes place, the field will have narrowed further following the second leadership contest ballot.

A Channel 4 spokesman said it was "disappointed" that Mr Johnson would not be taking part, adding: "There will be a lectern available if he changes his mind."

The remaining candidates will also be invited onto the final two BBC and Sky debates later in the month.

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