The BBC has backed out of plans to host a head-to-head debate between Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May over the Brexit deal despite being chosen as the Prime Minister’s preferred host of the would-be TV event.

The corporation said in a statement released today that it had failed to reach an agreement with the two party leaders over the format of the debate. Corbyn has openly expressed his preference for ITV’s rival proposal.

The climbdown comes after Corbyn rejected BBC plans for a panel of public figures, both for and against the deal, who would have a discussion among themselves on the deal. He has however accepted a head-to-head with May.