ITV election debate – live: Farage accused of ‘dog whistle’ politics as Reform overtakes Tories in poll

They patted each other on the back after the last seven way debate but the one on BBC was dominated by Penny Mordaunt and Angela Rayner shouting at one another.

ITV separated them and banned interruptions in the hope that it would allow the others to speak.

The tactics have not worked and Mordaunt and Rayner could not contain themselves from the red and blue corners.

“You won’t let me finish!” says Rayner to Mordaunt.

Stephen Flynn shook his head and Farage noted “dear, dear”.

They do not mind the unedifying sight too much of a Tory/ Labour battle.

Rayner says the Rwanda plan is a gimmick that won’t work.

Labour would target people smuggling gangs, she adds.

Mordaunt interrupts again.

Farage says neither party will bring down immigration numbers.

The audience laughs as he says he never lies.

The vast majority of the public wants the numbers to come down, he says.

Rayner hits back by saying that Labour respects the results of referendums – unlike the SNP.

She is interrupted again by Mordaunt, who says Labour has no plan for immigration.

Mordaunt also claims Labour will take health care workers.

Mordaunt says Labour has had 14 years to think about a plan for immigration but still doesn’t have one.

Rayner hits back by saying the Tories have had 14 years in government but not done enough.

Flynn moves the debate onto Brexit.

In the fourth debate, this may be the first time that immigration is an actual question on its own, The Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox writes.

Farage is on happy territory here knowing that he can go further and harder than all the other parties on the issue.

He has actually answered every other question by talking about migration anyway.

But the questioner points out that immigration is needed for the economy and to fill vacancies and skill shortages.

Angela Rayner and Penny Mordaunt look distinctly uncomfortable on the issue.

The other parties of the left are very happy to say they want largely unrestricted immigration.

Farage claims that immigration is making the UK poorer.

Plaid leader accuses him of dog whistle politics.

Rayner says the Tories talk about a cap but the numbers have gone up in recent years.

Immigrants are more likely to work in – and prop up public services – than become a strain on them, Cooper says.

We also need to invest more in our domestic workforce, she adds.

Mordaunt says the public wants borders controlled.

The Tories will put a cap on the numbers every year, she adds.

This will bring the numbers down, she adds.

Cooper says Lib Dems will always welcome immigrants.

She adds that more investment is needed in public services.