David Cameron and Ed Miliband traded personal insults yesterday as they clashed again over the prospect of TV debates ahead of the general election.

The Prime Minister branded the Labour leader “weak and despicable” as he denied he was “chickening out” of the events.

He also insisted he should be facing off against the SNP’s Alex Salmond, as the former Scottish first minister would be “calling the tune” if Mr Miliband made it to Downing Street.

The exchanges came in a fiery Prime Minister’s Questions session, less than two months before Britain goes to the polls on May 7.

Broadcasters have threatened to empty-chair the PM after he dismissed proposals for two debates featuring seven party leaders and a head-to-head against Mr Miliband during the formal election campaign.

Mr Cameron had previously argued that the Greens should be included in the debates and that they must take place before March 30.

He has now indicated that he will only do a seven-way debate if it happens in the week of March 23.

Mr Miliband accused the PM of “pathetic feeble excuses,” saying he should “admit the truth … he is worried he might lose again.”

He insisted he would be attending the debates on the dates allocated by the broadcasters, April 2 and 16.

But Mr Cameron said: “He said any time, any place, anywhere. I told him March 23 — let’s hold that debate.

“I’ll tell him what has changed. We have now got a situation where it is obvious Labour cannot win without the SNP.

“He says we need the two leaders who can call the tune. That is me and Alex Salmond, so let’s have the debate.”