BROADCASTERS declined a Conservative spin doctor’s proposal for a seven-way TV election debate yesterday, arguing it would be “insufficient” to cover the main issues.

The original plan to stage three debates — one with the two leaders most likely to become prime minister — will go ahead in April.

David Cameron’s director of communications Craig Oliver had published an open letter earlier this week urging TV channels to host a single 90-minute debate to take place on March 30.

But the heads of news at the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and Sky replied: “Our 2 × 2-hour debates format will allow all seven leaders sufficient time to discuss properly a good range of the main election issues.

“One 90-minute debate with seven leaders would inevitably lead to much less ground being covered, with much shorter contributions from all involved.”