DAVID Cameron was accused of "ducking" one of the last set-piece events of the General Election campaign, after it emerged he will not attend a rally staged by community organising charity Citizens UK, which will be addressed by Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg.
Mr Clegg said the decision was typical of the "bloodless and uninspiring" campaign run by the Conservatives, while Labour said it was an indication that the prime minister was unable to defend his record.
But Tory sources said that it had been made clear some time ago that Mr Cameron would be unable to attend due to campaigning commitments elsewhere in the country, and that Culture Secretary Sajid Javid would represent the party.
More than 2,200 voters are expected to attend the Citizens UK General Election Assembly in Westminster's Central Hall on Monday to put questions to the three main parties on issues including pay-day lending, social care and the living wage.
The group's trustee Kaneez Shaid said: "We are disappointed that David Cameron has chosen not to attend our event, despite the fact he promised in 2010 to attend two of these assemblies, which he has not done. We look forward to meeting Sajid Javid. He is attending with the authority of the party leader to respond to our Citizens UK People's Manifesto."
* OTHER COMMITMENTS: David Cameron