Nigel Farage challenges Rishi Sunak to bombshell live TV debate on immigration

Nigel Farage has challenged Rishi Sunak to a live TV debate on immigration. The Reform UK honorary president accused the Prime Minister of calling the surprise general election because he knows his Rwanda plan "simply would not work”.

The former UKIP leader insisted that if Mr Sunak refuses to debate him it will "confirm the fact that Sunak can’t stop the boats".

Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Farage said: "It looks like immigration, legal and illegal, will dominate this general election campaign.

"The main reason for this snap election is because Sunak knew that his promise that the planes would start going to Rwanda from July simply would not work.

"Now it is clear that no planes will go before the July 4 election day.

"Remember, a single judge from the European Court of Human Rights was able to prevent a plane that was already on the tarmac from taking off.

"We will never solve this dangerous problem unless we leave the ECHR, and Starmer has no credibility in dealing with this issue whatsoever. Brexit Britain should not be beholden to a European court.

"Our Prime Minister appears to be keen to engage in many televised election debates, and I challenge him to debate with me on this issue. If he refuses, that will confirm the fact that Sunak can’t stop the boats."

A Tory source suggested Mr Sunak would turn down the invitation because he wants to debate Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on border controls.

A Conservative Party source said: “A vote for Reform is a vote for Labour.

“The PM wants to debate immigration with Keir Starmer because we have a clear plan to stop the boats, but because Starmer’s only idea is for an illegal migration amnesty, he’s trying to chicken out.”

Mr Farage's challenge comes ahead of a speech in Dover today in his first major intervention in the election campaign.

He is not standing as an MP but plans to campaign for Reform around the country.