Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are set to snub the third televised leadership debate hosted by Sky News over fears that the previous two had already inflicted “incredible” damage on the Conservative party.
The Times also reports that the pair are instead keen to focus on the final ballot of Tory MPs in the leadership contest on Wednesday.
It comes after Truss and Sunak butted heads in the second televised debate of the contest last night, with Mr Sunak accusing the foreign secretary of offering “socialist” proposals in her bid for No 10.
A source in the former chancellor’s campaign told The Independent he would not take part in Tuesday’s debate hosted by Sky News.
“We are very happy to do more debates if we are lucky enough to get to the next stage, including Sky News,” the source continued.
It is also understood Ms Truss will only participate in the debate if all candidates have committed to do so.
Sky News has since said the debate has been cancelled, saying: “Two of the three candidates currently leading in the MPs’ ballot – Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss – have confirmed to Sky News that they do not want to take part”.
