Jo Swinson has challenged her exclusion from a live TV debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, arguing those responsible were "sexist, scared or both".

The Liberal Democrat leader hit out at her omission by ITV as she held out the prospect of her party taking part in a Remain electoral alliance in dozens of seats across the UK, aimed at boosting the chances of electing anti-Brexit MPs.

She told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme that Lib Dem polling had improved since the 2010 election, when the leaders of the three main parties were included.

Ms Swinson said: "In that election we had Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg - spot the difference.

"Frankly, you've got a suggestion from a broadcaster that it will be two chaps chatting about how they are going to leave the European Union, leaving out the voice for millions of Remainers who want to stop Brexit and stay in the EU.


"And, yeah, (I) happen to be a woman, well isn't that interesting because when it was Nick Clegg there was no problem with him being in the debates."

In full: Boris Johnson speaks to Sophy Ridge

Ms Swinson added: "Frankly, either it's sexist or they are scared or maybe it's a bit of both.

"But I should be there - the voice for the millions of people in this country who want to Remain.

"It's ridiculous to have a debate where on the biggest issue facing our country you have an entire side of that debate unrepresented."

The Lib Dems are calling for leaders' debates for general elections to be written into law, with the format and inclusion based on independent rules.

The party's deputy leader, Sir Ed Davey, said: "It should not be in the gift of any political party to decide whether the public deserve the opportunity to scrutinise those who seek to lead this country. That is why TV debates should be mandatory, and the format should be decided by an independent commission.



"The current situation in which the Labour and Conservative parties stitch up how debates work is utterly intolerable.



"Jo Swinson is the only women candidate to be prime minister, the only one campaigning to stop Brexit and the only one who has the plan to build a brighter future.



"Jo must be part of the debate, and a Liberal Democrat government will ensure that an independent commission is tasked with creating the format for future mandatory debates."

Last year, Sky News launched a "Make Debates Happen" campaign in order to call for an independent commission to run TV debates between party leaders ahead of general elections.

A petition attracted more than 140,000 signatures and was debated by MPs in parliament.

Meanwhile, talks have been under way between the pro-EU parties of the Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and the Greens.

The pact would see two of the three parties stand aside to favour the one with the best chance of victory, repeating the success seen in the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election.

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Ms Swinson did not rule out a report that it could see an alliance across up to 60 seats in the 12 December election.

"The specifics of announcements will be made in due course but it's well understood that these discussions have been taking place," she told Sky News.

"I wouldn't necessarily assume that the numbers are accurate.

"I think it's fair to say that in the vast majority of constituencies the party of Remain that is going to be best-placed to win that seat will be the Liberal Democrats."

Responding, deputy Tory party chairman Paul Scully said: "We didn't want an election, but we have to break the deadlock in Parliament, so we can get Brexit done and move onto the other issues that People care about.



"MPs like Jo Swinson, who have spent the last three years blocking Brexit and trying overturn the votes of 17.4 million people, are now doing back room deals to try and get a new parliament that will block Brexit again.



"No matter what they say, a vote for the Liberal Democrats will create another hung parliament and risks putting (Jeremy) Corbyn into Downing Street - mean years more confusion, delay, and indecision."