The BBC has confirmed Prime Minister Theresa May will take part in a televised debate – just hours after she told a room full of journalists in Harrow that she would not.

Campaigning at the Dhamecha Lohana Centre in South Harrow this morning (Monday), Mrs May reiterated her “strong and stable” mantra to the national news media ahead of the upcoming general election on June 8.

When pressed by the Harrow Times on why she would not take part in the planned televised debates alongside other party leaders, Mrs May said she would instead be “getting out and about, ensuring I’m talking directly with voters and listening directly with voters”, a statement which drew considerable applause from the Conservative candidates sat behind her.

But just a couple of hours later, Mrs May’s stance appears to have changed dramatically, with the BBC unveiling two Question Time specials where party leaders will face questions from members of the studio audience.

Mrs May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will feature in a programme on June 2 before the SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon and Liberal Democrat Tim Farron appear in the same capacity on June 4.

A live seven-way debate overseen by Mishal Husain will also be aired on BBC One on May 31.