tweets:, external Just spent 24 hours in Scotland. Politicians & political journalists gripped by Ashcroft polling suggesting SNP landslide & Labour wipeout.

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said: "I'm delighted that the broadcasters are holding firm, it would have been wrong for one individual to dictate and change the terms of these debates. So I'm very pleased the broadcasters are sticking with their original plans and that people will have the option of listening and hearing the range of political opinion that's available on 7 May."

David Cameron's communications chief Craig Oliver has said: "I made the prime minister's final position clear in my last letter - he is willing to do a seven-way debate in the week beginning March 23. Clearly it is disappointing that you are not prepared to take him up on that offer. I am ready to discuss at your convenience the logistics of making the debate we have suggested happen."

Former leader of the Lib Dems Paddy Ashdown said these debates belong to the British people. He said that he thought the broadcasters had got themselves into a "bit of a muddle" but "even if it is imperfect we [the Lib Dems] will take part".

Ed Miliband says it's "make up your mind time with David Cameron"...."he is a prime minister that is running scared".

The leader of the Greens, Natalie Bennett, said she thought the broadcasters were doing the "right thing" and it was time to "move on from the debate about the debates and start debating the issues". She accused David Cameron of "damaging trust in British politics".

But Peter Robinson, leader of the DUP and First Minister of Northern Ireland, said the debate negotiations had been the "greatest electoral shambles of all time". He said there was "very considerable doubt as to whether the debates will take place". He added: "The broadcasters are not in the position to dictate in the way they are seeking to do." He said they were allowing "parties which are smaller than mine" to take part.

David Cameron's communications chief Craig Oliver says they have made their final offer and are willing to discuss it, but are disappointed with the broadcasters' decision.

Scottish National Party Leader Nicola Sturgeon said: "David Cameron is clearly running scared of having to answer for his government's record of failure and incompetence - and this arrogance in trying to lay down the law has become his comeuppance. It is entirely up to David Cameron to decide whether having an empty podium will do a better job for the Tories than he is capable of."

tweets:, external .@David_Cameron is "doing further damage to trust in British politics" by refusing to take part in more than one TV debate, @natalieben says

Stewart Purvis - former Ofcom partner for content and standards - has told BBC News that there is a "flash of steel" in the broadcasters' reply. He said he thought there was a feeling the broadcasters "had to reply" to the "really very aggressive" letter from the prime minister's communications chief Craig Oliver. He also described the seven-way debates as definitely having "public value", saying they would be "a very worthwhile programme".

tweets:, external Countdown until Clegg et al realise that broadcasters are now proposing to give Ed M his own show if Cameron says no, and so demand balance.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "I am pleased that the broadcasters have stood firm at last, but it would have been far better had they stuck with their original proposal, which included fewer parties. Nonetheless we accept the challenge."

Tweets, external: So it's Final offer v final offer in #ge2015 TV debates stand off

You will find more on the TV election debates here.

Tweets, external: The broadcasters' position is ridiculous: include Plaid Cymru but not the DUP?

tweets:, external Broadcasters appear to be standing by threat to hold debates - even without PM

The broadcasters say "there needs to be two seven-way debates of a minimum of two hours each, within the election campaign, allowing time to properly represent the views of all parties, covering a broad range of subjects". This has been the position broadcasters have outlined in the past.

You can read the full letter from the broadcasters on the TV debates here.

The statement says: "The broadcasters would like the prime minister to reconsider taking part in all of these debates. 22 million people watched the leaders' debates in 2010 and there is a public desire and expectation for them to happen again in 2015.

"The broadcasters' proposals have come after extensive work over the last six months to ensure the public have the opportunity to watch televised election debates once more. The group have worked in an independent, impartial manner, treating invited parties on an equitable basis. They have listened to the views expressed by all parties and adapted the proposals to take into account electoral support.

"The broadcasters will continue to work closely with all parties invited to take part in the televised debates to bring them to their millions of viewers across the UK. The heads of news of all four broadcasters would welcome the opportunity to meet Mr Cameron, or his representatives, to discuss the debates."