By James Tapsfield, Political Editor, For Mailonline
Published: 09:19 BST, 20 June 2019 | Updated: 14:03 BST, 20 June 2019
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Tory leadership hopefuls were today threatening to boycott a BBC TV debate after the first showdown descended into a shambles.
The special programme featuring five would-be PMs has been widely condemned after it emerged one of the 'ordinary voters' posting questions was an imam who had previously posted vile tweets about Israel.
Another was a former Labour staffer. There was also fury about the format - which contenders complained made them look like an aging boyband - and how presenter Emily Maitlis weighted into the exchanges.
The debacle has cast serious doubt on a proposed Question Time-style debate between the final two, which would be hosted by Fiona Bruce.
Tory leadership hopefuls are threatening to boycott a BBC TV debate after the first showdown (pictured) descended into a shambles
A series of vile posts by Abdullah Patel, pictured posing his question on the BBC debate, were unearthed moments after the programme aired
A source on Johnson's team said the controversy 'hasn't helped the case', while other campaigns also warned that they would be looking more carefully at what was put forward. 'It's got to be better than that,' one said.
Julian Knight, a Conservative member of the culture select committee, said: ‘People look up to the BBC but the format and editorial failings were such that they actually produced a much worse debate than Channel 4.
'The greats of the past like Robin Day and Richard Dimbleby will be doing full 360 degree spins in their graves at this shambolic execution by the BBC.’
James Cleverly, a Brexit minister who is supporting Mr Johnson’s campaign, tweeted: ‘I love and value the BBC, but stuff like this makes it really hard to defend you from critics. Didn’t you think it
