The first question is on the convicted terrorist who killed two people at London Bridge nearly a year after being released from prison.

In a rehearsal of the last two days of argument on this issue, Rishi Sunak says the attacker was released half way through his sentence because of a law passed in 2008 while Richard Burgon suggests the blame lies on cuts to public services.

Nigel Farage references the “Jihadi virus”, blames “political correctness” and says anyone who carries out or plans mass murder should never be released.

Adam Price, the leader of Plaid Cymru, complains that Wales is invisible in Westminster and calls on people to vote for his party.

Richard Burgon also brings out the party catchphrase, saying Labour will rebuild the country “for the many, not the few”.

Nicola Sturgeon says she wants to lock Boris Johnson out of Downing Street.

“To build a better future we need to stop Boris Johnson and the Tories and in Scotland that means voting SNP”.

“Get Brexit Done”, says Rishi Sunak, for the Conservatives.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage complains that most parties at the debate don’t want to honour the referendum and blames the Conservatives for a “half-in, half-out fudge”.

“I want to get Brexit done properly,” he adds.

Jo Swinson says Boris Johnson “can’t be bothered to debate” and claims that Nigel Farage is happy to help the Conservative leader win the general election.

There’s just over five minutes minutes to go until the debate – keen viewers can tune into ITV now to catch the closing credits of a Harry Potter film.

A selection of responses to Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to skip the ITV election debate this evening.

The attack prompted an urgent review of convicted terrorists out on licence and on Saturday evening a 34-year-old man was arrested in Stoke-on-Trent.

West Midlands Police released this statement at around 6pm today:

The debate takes place as the two main party leaders continue to blame each other for the terror attack on London Bridge.

Earlier this evening the two victims were identified as Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23. Three others were injured.

Boris Johnson has insisted that cuts to probation and other public services played no part in the attack. Instead, he says Labour are responsible for the law which allowed the killer to be released – nearly a year ago – on licence automatically half way through his 16-year sentence.

ITV journalist Julie Etchingham is moderating the debate and the set looks like a cross between the TV shows The Cube and Take Me Out.

Here’s the confirmed list of politicians taking part:

Neither Boris Johnson nor Jeremy Corbyn are taking part, however.

As a result the seven-way leaders’ debate will feature on five party leaders from the Greens, Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru, SNP and Brexit Party….

Jeremy Corbyn will be represented by Richard Burgon, the shadow justice secretary.

Boris Johnson will be represented by Rishi Sunak, the chief secretary to the Treasury.

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the ITV “leaders debate” featuring the seven major political parties.

It kicks off at 7pm and is due to last two hours. Will they all survive the contest? Let’s find out.