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Boris Johnson could be replaced by a melting ice statue if he fails to turn up to Channel 4's environmental debate tonight.

The PM is set to dodge the debate - and if he does he could replaced by a pretty on the nose visual metaphor about the cost of inaction.

Sources inside the broadcaster suggested they could pull the stunt after Mr Johnson refused to confirm if he will take part in a historic general election debate focusing solely on climate change.

Asked by the Mirror if they planned to replace Mr Johnson with a melting effigy, a Channel 4 News spokeswoman said: “The clock is ticking. The ice caps are melting. Our invitation to the Prime Minister remains open until 7pm tonight.”

Channel 4 announced they would host the first-ever party leaders debate dedicated to discussing the climate crisis earlier this week.

(Image: Adam Gerrard/Daily Mirror)

Labour , Lib Dems, the SNP and the Greens have all committed to appearing on the one-hour special dubbed ‘Emergency on Planet Earth’.

Boris Johnson is not alone - Nigel Farage has also indicated that he will not take part in the event.

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 have 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 Mr Johnson, a spokeswoman for Channel 4 News said: “Michael Gove is not the party leader.”

The debate will be hosted by presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

He said it was a chance to quiz leaders about how Britain would have to change to deal with the climate emergency.

Mr Guru-Murthy said: “This debate has been called for by hundreds of thousands of people from all sorts of different walks of life.”

Channel 4's environment debate airs tonight from 7pm