Tory leadership debate halted after presenter faints in studio

Tonight’s Conservative Party leadership debate between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak has been scrapped after presenter Kate McCann fainted during the live broadcast.

Ms Truss held her hands to her face and said “oh my God” after a loud crash was heard – and then the contest was taken off air.

TalkTV said Ms McCann is “fine” but that the channel had been given medical advice not to continue.

“We apologise to our viewers and listeners,” it added in a statement.

As the debate was halted a message on TalkTV and The Sun’s stream read: “We’re sorry for the disruption to this programme.”

Truss and Sunak TV debate halted after incident in studio – live updates

The channel started broadcasting again shortly afterwards but cut to a different studio with presenter Ian Collins saying there had been a “medical issue”.

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He said: “Everyone is OK so that is the good news. Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are still currently in the studio chatting with readers and answering those questions.”

A Sun spokeswoman confirmed the incident was paused over a “medical issue”, adding: “We hope to be back on air soon.”

But TalkTV later tweeted that Ms McCann, their political editor, is not expected back on air.

Ms McCann was meant to appear alongside The Sun’s political editor Harry Cole, but he tested positive for COVID-19 earlier today.

He tweeted to say he was “very proud” of his friend, who was “absolutely bossing it”.

Rishi Sunak has also sent his well wishes to the presenter, tweeting: “Good news that you’re already recovering @KateEMcCann.

“It was a great debate and I look forward to getting grilled by you again shortly.”

And Liz Truss said: “Relieved to hear Kate McCann is fine. Really sorry that such a good debate had to end. Look forward to catching up with Kate and the rest of the team again soon.”

Taxes remain clear dividing line

The incident came as Mr Sunak and Ms Truss were clashing once again over taxes, NHS funding and the economy in their second head-to-head televised debate.

Tax has become the clear dividing line between the two Tory leadership contenders, with Mr Sunak advocating prudence with the nation’s finances and Ms Truss pledging tax cuts of more than £30 billion.

Before the debate was halted, Mr Sunak said it was “entirely reasonable” to ask the largest companies to pay “a bit more” in corporation tax because they received billions in support to help them stay afloat during the pandemic.

He said: “They still will pay a very generous rate of tax compared to most other countries.”

But Liz Truss, who wants to scrap the scheduled 19p to 25p increase in corporation tax, said Sunak’s policies would make the UK less competitive and push the country into recession.

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