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The Telegraph
The Telegraph
National
Amira Arasteh

When is the next Tory leadership TV debate and how to watch?

The four remaining candidates: Kemi Badenoch, Penny Mordaunt, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak - Supplied
The four remaining candidates: Kemi Badenoch, Penny Mordaunt, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak - Supplied

The Tory leadership contenders have gone head-to-head in two leadership debates, but the third was cancelled on Monday morning after Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak pulled out.

The first was held on Friday night on Channel 4, with Sky News previously set to broadcast a final showdown.

All four remaining candidates in the running to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister in September; Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt, Liz Truss and Kemi Badenoch, faced each other in the televised debates, as well as Tom Tugendhat before he was eliminated on Monday.

The second debate on Sunday evening saw the candidates clash over tax, Brexit and transgender rights - with Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak in particular firing attacks at one another.

As a result, the third scheduled debate on Tuesday 19 July, has now been cancelled.

When were the Tory leadership TV debates?

The first leadership debate aired on Friday night for Channel Four. Candidates came together for a live debate hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

The second debate aired on Sunday 17 July hosted by newscaster Julie Etchingham.

What time will the TV debates be shown?

The debate on Sunday evening was broadcast at 7pm on ITV, and ran for around an hour. 

Although scheduled for Tuesday 19 July at 8pm, the third debate has now been cancelled. The news comes after Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss both pulled out of the event.

The one-hour live debate was set to be hosted by Kay Burley, with the participating candidates facing questions from a virtual studio audience.

What have the networks said about the debates? 

Louisa Compton, Channel 4’s head of news and current affairs, said the network was "thrilled" the candidates had agreed to take part in Channel 4’s leadership debate and answer questions from voters around the UK.

"This debate will be essential viewing for those wanting to know more about our next prime minister and what she or he stand for."

Michael Jermey, ITV’s director of news and current affairs said: "Television debates at important elections help voters engage with politics.

"ITV has been the home of some of the biggest political debates over the past decade. Sunday’s debate will be an important event as the country’s next prime minister is chosen."

This article is kept updated with the latest information.

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