THE British Labour Party has halted talks with broadcasters over a possible televised leaders' debate, the party announced last night.
But Labour's campaign manager, Mr Peter Mandelson, said the party remained committed to the idea of a debate and was exploring other avenues, including the possible involvement of Sir David Frost.
Mr Mandelson blamed the Conservatives for "frustrating discussions".
His statement followed a Tory accusation that Labour was trying to "pull the plug" on an election TV showdown between the Prime Minister, Mr John Major, and the Labour leader, Mr Tony Blair.
Mr Michael Dobbs, the Tory's chief negotiator for a TV debate, claimed Labour had been trying to impose a deadline of last night for the conclusion of the talks or the whole idea would be scrapped.
"Time is running out. Labour are planning to pull the plug. There is no need for them to do so.
"We want discussions to continue in the belief that what the broadcasters are proposing is genuine and responsible," Mr Dobbs told a news conference at Conservative Central Office in London.
Talks over a TV debate, which could provide a focal point of what promises to be a fierce election campaign, have become bogged down because the parties cannot agree the formula.
Mr Mandelson said the debate idea had taken "many hours" of discussion every day this week.
He said the sticking points had been fair allocation of time between party leaders, the number of debates, and their length.
He said Labour was "disappointed" it had not been possible to reach agreement.