Sky News has cancelled its planned Tory leadership debate after Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss declined to take part.
The Tuesday evening event was cancelled with a day's notice after sources on Mr Sunak's side suggested he will only do further TV debates if he manages to make it to the final two candidates. Meanwhile, sources from Ms Truss' camp claimed they will be focused on behind-closed-door hustings to garner support from Conservative MPs.
A statement from Sky News read: “Tuesday evening’s live television debate on Sky News between the Conservative Party leadership candidates has been cancelled. Two of the three candidates currently leading in the MPs’ ballots – Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss – have confirmed to Sky News that they do not want to take part.
