Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer grilled by audience in Sky TV debate – live

Rishi Sunak is defending his record as prime minister, in front of a live television audience, as he seeks votes at the general election.

The prime minister repeated his apology for leaving the D-Day commemorations early as he was grilled for 45 minutes.

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer, who went first, said he would not impose more taxes on working people - just minutes after the prime minister stood by his claim that Labor would put up taxes.

Sky political editor Beth Rigby told Mr Starmer: "When a politician says no plans they mean it might happen."

The Labor leader said he would negotiate with junior doctors over their pay, but the country could not afford their 35 percent rise claim.

Earlier, Mr Sunak insisted he had "absolutely not" lost hope of winning the 4 July general election despite Tory allies warning of the risk of Labor winning a "super-majority".

Defense secretary Grant Shapps claimed the Tories were fighting hard to prevent Labor from securing a crushing win bigger than the 1997 landslide.