Chicken David Cameron’s objection to TV election debates is part of a Tory strategy to fight the “dirtiest” campaign since 1992, Labour’s campaign chief said yesterday.

Douglas Alexander accused the Prime Minister of trying to “run away from his record and the British public.”

Debates watched by 10 million people in 2010, he said, were made more important as the Tories attempt to avoid scrutiny and vilify Labour leader Ed Miliband with “smears” similar to those faced by his predecessor Neil Kinnock.

“David Cameron has already stated that he intends to dust-down the play-book from the 1992 election — widely regarded as the dirtiest in recent memory,” Mr Alexander wrote for right-wing Labour entryist group Progress.

“In such circumstances, I believe it is important that voters can hear from the party leaders directly, unmediated by the press or distorted by smears.”

The Sun infamously proclaimed “it was the Sun what won it” for a Conservative Party led by uncharismatic John Major in 1992.

Its boast came after a polling day front page that pictured Mr Kinnock’s head in a light bulb with with the headline: “If Kinnock wins today will the last person to leave Britain please turn out the lights.”

It was part of a brutal campaign launched by the right-wing press against Labour that Mr Alexander fears is set to be unleashed again.

His warning came as Mr Cameron revealed on Thursday a surpris