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General Election 2019: Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn TV debate

Around 100 officers were drafted in from Kent Police to protect the two main party leaders ahead of tonight's TV debate.

Armed officers were also called in to protect Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn at the studios in Maidstone ahead of their second TV debate.

Boris campaigning in the county today

Three yellow minis arrived with the 'Brexit Job' written on the side blocking the entrance.

Based on the Italian Job, the trio have turned up to peacefully protest against Brexit.

Police have spoken to them and asked them to move out of the way of the entrance, including 'Faux Bojo'.

Mr Johnson has used today as an excuse to tour the county, starting at the Kent Event Centre in Detling where the hospital in Canterbury was on the agenda.

He told KentOnline Mr Johnson told KentOnline: "We will be making sure that we invest massively in the NHS and I know that Canterbury is a high priority.

Police outside Maidstone sutdios ahead of the leaders TV debate. Picture: UKNIP
Police outside Maidstone sutdios ahead of the leaders TV debate. Picture: UKNIP

"The only thing that I can say is that it is only under the Conservatives that you are going to get sustained investment."

He was then due to head to Rochester but pulled out at the last minute, despite around 1,000 people there ready to meet him.

While Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was seen leaving the nearby Hilton Hotel

Jeremy Corbyn leaving the Hitlon in Maidstone. Picture: UKNIP
Jeremy Corbyn leaving the Hitlon in Maidstone. Picture: UKNIP

When he arrived at the studios, surrounded by security he gave a speech to his supporters about "the future we want to build for all of us".

At their first debate, Cranbrook mental health campaigner Ben West asked the politicians what they would buy each other for Christmas.

Jeremy Corbyn said he would buy his opposite number a copy of A Christmas Carol, while Mr Johnson said he would give the Labour leader a copy of his Brexit deal and a jar of Damson jam.

The pair also faced more serious questions on Brexit, the NHS, the Royal Family and Scottish independence.

Channel 4 held a climate debate between Labour, the Lib Dems, the Green Party, Plaid Cymru and the SNP. Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson did not attend.

Mr Corbyn and Mr Johnson were supposed to be part of a leaders debate involving the Liberal Democrats on Sky News.

But when both men failed to secure respective agreements with the broadcaster, it was called off.

ITV held a second debate from all seven main political parties, neither Mr Johnson nor Mr Corbyn took part.

Last week the BBC held its first election debate - once again seven parties took part, but Labour and Conservative leaders were replaced by other party members.

Tonight presenter Nick Robinson will host only the second debate to involve both Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson from 8.30pm on BBC One.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone.

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