TORY MPs have been mocked after claiming that the Tory leadership debate shown on Channel 4 was “biased”.

The broadcast was the first time the five Conservative MPs vying for the keys to No 10 had faced each other in a televised debate, though they had all spoken at an online hustings earlier on Friday.

The Channel 4 broadcast was the first of three, with another due to take place on ITV on Sunday, and a third scheduled for Sky on Tuesday. By the third debate, only three candidates will be left in the running.

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The debate saw Tom Tugendhat draw the first applause from the audience – which Channel 4 said had been selected using a vetting process from polling firm Survation – when he was the only candidate to answer “no” when asked if Boris Johnson was an honest man.

Frontrunner Penny Mordaunt came under fire over her plans for tax cuts and her record on transgender issues, while rival Rishi Sunak was attacked for having raised national insurance while chancellor.

Hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy, the 90-minute debate consisted of several questions from the audience, followed by closing statements from each candidate.

It was criticised by some Tory MPs on social media who complained of “bias”.

Scott Benton, the Conservative MP for Blackpool South, wrote: “Candidates can barely get a word in with this biased woke presenter in this debate. Why give left-wing #Channel4 the first leadership debate? [shrug emoji].”

The message was endorsed by Welsh Tory MP Jamie Wallis, who represents Bridgend at Westminster. Sharing Benton’s message, Wallis wrote: “This! Have to say I'm not sure C4 are even pretending any more.”

Former Ukip leader Henry Bolton also criticised the debate. He claimed that Guru-Murthy was “attempting to raise the anti [sic] against candidates”.

Bolton said: “He's trying to shape your opinion and the political outcome. He is not trying to tickle out the true capabilities of the candidates to lead the Conservatives and the nation. He's not trying to inform you, the public.”

Many on social media accused the politicians of being “desperate”, questioning how biased a broadcast featuring only five Tories could be.

Labour MP Karl Turner said those complaining about the debate were “[blaming] the presenter when the candidates are genuinely crap”.

Others stood up for Guru-Murthy, saying he had chaired the debate well.

Channel 4 was approached for comment.