Major-Blair TV debate unlikely

The prospect of a head-to-head television debate between John Major and Tony Blair looked remote last night after negotiations ground to an acrimonious halt.

An aide to Mr Blair said last night he could see no point in continuing to talk. The Conservatives had continually raised petty objections making progress impossible, he suggested, adding that if talks continued they would distract attention from the real election issues. Meanwhile, Brian Mawhinney, the Tory party chairman, accused Mr Blair of "chickening out" of a live debate.