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Boris Johnson today called for the Prime Minister to debate with "someone who believes in Brexit", saying there was "no point" in holding a televised head-to-head with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Theresa May has challenged Mr Corbyn to a debate on Brexit ahead of the December 11 vote in Parliament on her Withdrawal Agreement.

But the former foreign secretary said the face off between the two main party leaders would "narrow" the discussion over the issue because neither's plans "are Brexit".

His intervention came after Mrs May had rejected calls for leaders of smaller political parties to join the two main party leaders in a televised debate.

Mr Johnson, who has made repeated attacks on Mrs May's Withdrawal Agreement, wrote on Twitter: "Debates are great for democracy - but rather than widening discourse, this debate is narrowing it by offering a false choice between May's failing deal and Corbyn's vague proposals - neither of which are Brexit.

"There is no point having a debate with two people who voted Remain & deals that don't take back control.

"Any debate must involve someone who believes in Brexit & the British people being fully in control of their laws, rather than giving back control to the EU like the PM's deal."

His criticism stopped short of putting himself forward to challenge the PM in a live broadcast.

After groups with almost every possible position on Brexit said they should take part in any broadcast ahead of the meaningful vote, Mrs May said on Tuesday she and the Labour leader represented almost 90 per cent of MPs in the Commons.

Her comments to reporters during a visit to Wales followed demands by the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, The Green Party, Plaid Cymru and campaigners for a second Brexit referendum to join them.

During a visit to the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells in Powys, Mrs May said: "Of course I am going to be debating in the House of Commons with all parties on the issue of the Brexit deal.

"Jeremy Corbyn and I are leaders of parties that cover getting on for 90 per cent of all MPs in the House of Commons.

"This is a really important moment for our country.

"I have a clear deal that I believe is in the interests of the UK and I think it is right for people to hear what Jeremy Corbyn's views are as those have been a little uncertain recently about exactly where he stands."

Labour is also behind plans for the head to head, saying Mr Corbyn would "relish" going up against the Prime Minister over the Withdrawal Agreement.

Labour Brexiteer Gisela Stuart also attacked the proposed line-up, saying it was limited to "two politicians who voted and campaigned for Remain".

Mrs Stuart, the chairwoman of the Change Britain group, said: "Both Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn want to keep the EU in charge of our trade policy and sign the UK up to a swathe of Brussels regulations. These are at odds with the referendum mandate of taking back control.

"Any debate must include an advocate of a clean Brexit who wants to fully deliver on the wishes of the British people."

The Prime Minister was on Tuesday forced to insist that Britain is working "very well" with the United States over future trade after Donald Trump appeared to "pour cold water" on her Brexit plan.

The US president suggested her proposals could stop the two countries sealing a deal by describing the agreement as "a great deal for the EU".

But Mrs May said the Political Declaration meant "we will be able to negotiate trade deals with countries around the rest of the world".

Mr Trump's comments prompted a warning from Sir Michael Fallon, a former May loyalist, who said he could not vote for her deal because it represented "the worst of all worlds - no guarantee of smooth trade in the future and no ability to reduce the tariffs that we need to conclude trade deals with the rest of the world".

Mrs May and Mr Trump will both head to Argentina for the G20 conference at the end of the week but Downing Street aides there were no plans for private talks between the two leaders.

Downing Street on Tuesday revealed that an economic analysis of Brexit scenarios will be released on Wednesday afternoon.

Additional reporting by Press Association.