In the post below I mused as to why Ed Miliband didn’t face Jeremy Paxman first and answer audience questions second, like David Cameron did. It seemed very odd that the format was different for both leaders.
I’ve now found out the reason. According to a souce close to the event negotiations it was very simple. The reason Milibandi went last with Paxo is because he won the toss and apparently his people insisted he went last with Paxo so audience wouldn’t watch him being interviewed and then quiz him on whatever transpired. It was a Labour deal breaker apparently. In addition they were keen that any potential Miliband Paxoing wouldn’t be shown in any of the News at Ten bulletins. Channel 4 and Sky weren’t in any mood to argue, as it would have risked the entire event. It makes you wonder why on earth Craig Oliver at Number Ten agreed to that, though.
