Brown challenged to debate

Chancellor Gordon Brown has been challenged to appear in a live debate with his opposite numbers Dr Vince Cable and Oliver Letwin.

So far Mr Brown has not responded to calls from the two men, who claim that a precedent has been set by Ken Clarke agreeing to take part in a debate in 1997.

Dr Cable said: “If the Labour party really feel confident in their economic policies they should be prepared to debate them.

“I trust that the Chancellor is not running scared and will confirm his willingness to a televised debate before polling day.”