Labour accused top Tories yesterday of sabotaging cross-party talks over live TV leaders’ debates as PM David Cameron desperately attempts to escape a showdown with Ed Miliband.

A senior Labour MP revealed details of a secret Tory campaign to wreck talks yesterday as Mr Cameron was caught in a flap over the issue at Prime Minister’s questions.

Broadcasters have already named April 30 — exactly a week before Britain goes to the polls — as the date for a head-to-head.

But Tory negotiators led by party chairman Grant Shapps have boycotted talks between parties and broadcasters for the past five weeks.

As a result, only the Conservative Party went represented at a meeting where broadcasters set the debate dates.

And the “chicken” PM repeatedly refused to confirm that he would take part when challenged by Mr Miliband yesterday.

“What is interesting, we are having a debate now and they cannot talk about the economy,” said Mr Cameron as he sought to change the subject.

“I say let’s have these debates, let’s get on with them before the election.”

Mr Miliband said he was “very happy” to have another debate at a time of Mr Cameron’s choosing but he added: “The broadcasters have set a date.

“You said the election is all about me and you but the one thing you want to avoid is a TV debate between me and you.”

Speaking to the press after the clash, a spokesman for Mr Cameron insisted that talks were still taking place.

“All parties have been expressing concerns. That’s why there has to be further discussions,” he said.

But the senior Labour source said that the Tories were delaying talks in the hope that broadcasters would run out of time to organise the debates.

“I think it’s clear that behind the scenes David Cameron’s team are doing everything they can to scupper negotiations and sink the debates,” he said.

Broadcasters now have to decide whether to “empty chair” the PM if he refuses to show up.

If he does, Labour said the event should go ahead as a live question and answer session with Mr Miliband.

His spokesman said: “We will turn up on April 30 and it’s up to David Cameron to confirm whether he will be there too.”