Tories Complain To Ofcom About Channel 4 News Replacing Boris Johnson With An Ice Sculpture
A Conservative source later told BuzzFeed News that if the party wins the coming election it will reassess Channel 4’s public service broadcasting licence.
“If we are re-elected, we will have to review Channel 4’s Public Services Broadcasting obligations,” the source said.
“Any review would of course look at whether its remit should be better focused so it is serving the public in the best way possible.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson, Scottish First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Plaid Cymru’s leader Adam Price and Green co-leader Sian Berry agreed to take part.
Asked on Wednesday whether a Conservative minister, such as former environment secretary Michael Gove, could attend the Channel 4 debate instead of Johnson, a spokeswoman for Channel 4 News said: “Michael Gove is not the party leader.”
Speaking at the conclusion of the programme, Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy said the invitation for Johnson and Farage to come and debate the climate emergency “remains open”.
He added: “Thank you to all our party leaders who came tonight. Thank you also to Michael Gove from the Conservative Party who did come here, but sadly, as we made clear from the start, this debate was for leaders only and our leaders were only prepared to debate other leaders.
“Our offer to Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage to come here and discuss the climate emergency remains open.”