THE SNP and LibDems have lost a High Court challenge against ITV over its decision to exclude their party leaders from a televised election debate.

A head-to-head debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn is due to air tonight, which will ­exclude any other party leaders.

The LibDems and the SNP contested the broadcaster’s decision at a hearing in London yesterday, arguing it was unlawful because it breached impartiality rules.

But two leading judges ruled the decision was not open to challenge in the courts and that the parties’ only recourse was to complain to Ofcom.

Lord Justice Davis, sitting with Mr Justice Warby, said that, even if the court did have jurisdiction to deal with the case, the format of the debates was a matter of ­“editorial judgment” and there was “no ­arguable breach of the Broadcasting Code”.

He added: “The clear conclusion of both members of this court is that, viewed overall, these claims are not realistically arguable.

“It follows that the television debate between the leader of the Conservative Party and the leader of the Labour Party may lawfully go ahead.”

Lawyers for the LibDems had argued that Brexit is the “dominant” issue of the General Election and that “the voice of Remain has been excluded” by ITV’s failure to include Swinson in the leaders’ debate.

Lawyers for the SNP said the party represents a range of views which would not be represented in a debate between Labour and the Conservatives, including on Brexit and Scottish independence.

ITV lawyers contended its decision was not capable of challenge in the courts and that, in any event, there is no basis for alleging any unlawful conduct on its part.

Sky News has proposed a November 28 date for its debate, while the BBC has confirmed it will host two debates, on November 29 and ­December 6, in addition to a series of Question Time specials.

The SNP’s leader in Westminster, Ian Blackford, said: “Indeed the result of the decision to exclude the SNP is to discriminate against Scottish voters and to effectively treat them as second-class citizens.

“That is, quite simply, a democratic disgrace.”

ITV issued a statement welcoming the court’s decision.