Today’s rumours that ITV could be set to go rogue in the election debates will be given extra credence by news that the broadcaster has their debate studio ready to go and will be hosting a ‘shadow’ debate next Friday.

I hear ITV contemplating going unilateral and hosting a 7 way debate as per No10 offer, as they have 1st one. Would send BBC/Sky apoplectic.

— Tom Newton Dunn (@tnewtondunn) March 6, 2015

Media Guido has seen the plans:

“The run through will take place on Friday March 13th at ITV, Southbank from 11am through until 2pm and will be led by ITV News Presenter Julie Etchingham, who will host the live debate.”

Everyone involved in this secret debate has been “required to sign a confidentiality agreement which would prevent them from discussing anything that happens on the day/s of the run through/s.” This agreement lasts “for a number of years AFTER broadcast.”

The broadcaster will be ready to host a seven-way debate next week: long before the official 2 April date. Intriguing…