Nicola Sturgeon has called for broadcasters to 'empty chair' Theresa May after No 10 said that the Prime Minister would not take part in televised leaders’ debates.

The SNP leader claimed Mrs May lacked the “confidence” to go head-to-head with opposition politicians.

The party's Westminster leader Angus Robertson also accused the Conservative leader of “running scared” of Ms Sturgeon.

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Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron also called on the broadcasters to empty chair Mrs May.

This could involve literally an extra chair being set for the absent Mrs May. But there have occasionally been more inventive versions.

When Labour MP Roy Hattersley cancelled a planned appearance on the BBC satirical quiz show Have I Got News For You at the last minute he was replaced with a tub of lard.

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Downing Street said that Mrs May would not take part in any televised debates in the run up to the general election.

Ms Sturgeon replied that if the Prime Minister “doesn't have the confidence to debate her plans on TV with other leaders, broadcasters should empty chair her and go ahead anyway”.

Mr Farron said that Mrs May’s attempt to dodge scrutiny shows how she holds the public in contempt”. 

He called on broadcasters to “do the right thing, don’t let the Conservatives call the shots. If the Prime Minister won’t attend – empty chair her”.

Earlier, Mr Farron called for as many TV showdowns as possible. 

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Aides to Ms Sturgeon said that the SNP leader would also "welcome" the opportunity to challenge Theresa May face-to-face. 

Mr Farron said: "The debates should happen and there should be as many as possible.  

"In the debates I will lay out why the Liberal Democrats are the only real alternative to the Conservatives - both socially just and fiscally responsible." 

Televised debates have been a key feature of American Presidential elections for decades. 

But they were first used in the UK in the run up to the May 2010 General Election

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Then they involved just Conservative leader David Cameron, Labour leader Gordon Brown and Lib Dem leader 

But they triggered what became known as 'Cleggmania', a phenomenon that saw the Lib Dems soar in the polls. 

In 2015 the leaders' debates were opened up to include more parties, including the SNP.