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EU referendum: Vote Leave furious as ITV announces debate between Nigel Farage and David Cameron EU referendum: Vote Leave furious as ITV announces debate between Nigel Farage and David Cameron
(35 minutes later)
Vote Leave have reacted with fury at news that Nigel Farage has been invited to take part in a live EU referendum debate with David Cameron on ITV. Vote Leave have reacted with fury at news that Nigel Farage has been invited to take part in a live EU referendum debate with David Cameron on ITV. 
The campaign, which was designated at the official Leave campaign by the electoral commission, has attacked the broadcaster for the decision to invite the Ukip leader - who is affiliated to the rival camp Leave.EU.The campaign, which was designated at the official Leave campaign by the electoral commission, has attacked the broadcaster for the decision to invite the Ukip leader - who is affiliated to the rival camp Leave.EU.
“Cameron and Farage Live: The EU Referendum” will be broadcast at 9pm on Tuesday 7 June ahead of the vote on 23 June.“Cameron and Farage Live: The EU Referendum” will be broadcast at 9pm on Tuesday 7 June ahead of the vote on 23 June.
The format will be similar to the Leader’s Debate held before the 2015 general election.The format will be similar to the Leader’s Debate held before the 2015 general election.
Mr Cameron and Mr Farage will make their pitches before answering questions from the audience. Mr Cameron and Mr Farage will make their pitches before answering questions from the audience. 
But Vote Leave said a representative from their camp should have been invited onto the programme instead of Mr Farage as they are the officially designated Leave campaign. A senior Vote Leave source said: "The Establishment has tried everything from spending taxpayers money on pro-EU propaganda to funding the IN campaign via Goldsman Sachs. 
A spokesman said: "We were assured by ITV, the only reason they went for Farage was so they could secure the prime minister. ITV are allowing Number 10 to choose their opposition. "The polls have stayed fifty fifty. They're now fixing the debates to shut out the official campaign.
"ITV have effectively become part of the In campaign. We will take them to court and we will win." "ITV is led by people like Robert Peston who campaigned for Britain to join the euro. 
"ITV has lied to us in private while secretly stitching up a deal with Cameron to stop Boris Johnson or Michael Gove debating the issues properly. 
"ITV has effectively joined the official IN campaign and there will be consequences for its future - the people in No10 won't be there for long".
They have threatened to take the news channel to court over the decision.
According to Ofcom guidelines, broadcasters should remain neutral when reporting on politics.According to Ofcom guidelines, broadcasters should remain neutral when reporting on politics.
There is fierce division between Vote Leave, Leave.EU and Grassroots Out over the best way to fight the campaign for Brexit. There is fierce division between Vote Leave, Leave.EU and Grassroots Out over the best way to fight the campaign for Brexit. 
Vote Leave - headed by former Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Justice Secretary Michael Gove and Ukip’s sole MP, Douglas Carswell - has focused on the economy and the restrictions on growth it claims the EU creates. Vote Leave - headed by former Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Justice Secretary Michael Gove and Ukip’s sole MP, Douglas Carswell - has focused on the economy and the restrictions on growth it claims the EU creates. 
But Leave.EU, supported by Nigel Farage, and Grassroots Out, have focused attention on the impact of immigration from Eastern Europe. But Leave.EU, supported by Nigel Farage, and Grassroots Out, have focused attention on the impact of immigration from Eastern Europe. 
Separately it was announced that Sky News has booked Mr Cameron to appear on a special EU referendum programme on 2 June. 
It will also broadcast a programme featuring Mr Gove, but on a separate night. 
It has been reported that there have been "tense" talks between broadcasters and No 10 over debates over the last month.
Downing Street has insisted Mr Cameron will not take part in a "blue on blue contest" - meaning debating with a member of his own party - which has led to accusations of cowardice. 
A spokesman told the Sun: "This is not simply an argument in the Conservative Party. The Stronger In campaign is a broad coalition of many political parties.
"We want to demonstrate the breadth of the debate rather than focus on a narrow issue in the Tory party."
ITV also hit back at the accusations and the legal threat saying: "Ukip polled 3.9 million votes a year ago and finished third in the General Election.
"ITV thinks viewers have a right to hear what the Ukip leader has to say on referendum.
"Prominent members of Vote Leave, including Boris Johnson, have been invited to take part in the two hour TV debate on June 9th."
The former Mayor of London previously said he did not want to get involved in any TV debates as part of his membership of Vote Leave but in an interview with the Spectator last week he said it would be "wet" not to participate if asked.
The latest polls show a small lead for the Remain side, but experts say the result could go in Leave’s favour if turnout is low. The latest polls show a small lead for the Remain side, but experts say the result could go in Leave’s favour if turnout is low.