PM And Starmer Clash Over Betting Scandal In Tetchy Final TV Debate

Labour leader hits out at Sunak over Tory culture and telling lies on tax’

- Jessica Elgot , Pippa Crerar

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer clashed bitterly over their responses to the Westminster gambling scandal last night , as it emerged that the Metropolitan police were to widen their role in the investigation into bets placed on the general election.

In the last head-to-head debate before voters go to the polls, the Labour leader launched a fierce attack on the culture at the top of the Conservative party, saying it showed the “wrong instinct” to place bets on the future of the country – likening it to the cavalier attitude to Covid rules.

In the angry exchanges, Sunak repeatedly urged the country not to “surrender” to Labour’s plans on tax and migration and said the general election next week should not be decided purely on disenchantment with the Conservatives.

"I understand why you're frustrated with our party, with me, I get it. But this is not a byelection, it's a choice with profound consequences for you and our country," he said. "And before you make that choice, think what a Labour government would mean.

"Can you afford to pay at least £2,000 more in tax?... And if you're not certain about Labour, don't surrender to them, don't vote for any other party, vote Conservative."

In response, the Labour leader said of the claim that Labour would raise taxes by £2,000 per household: "That is a lie, he's been told not to repeat that lie and he's just done it."

The UK's statistics watchdog, the Office for Statistics Regulation, has previously issued the Conservatives with a warning over the claim, saying it failed to make clear how the figures were calculated.