DHAKA: Donald Trump has said he will boycott the final Republican presidential debate before the Iowa caucuses.

The maverick Republican frontrunner accused Fox News debate moderator Megyn Kelly, whom he has clashed with in the past, of being a ‘lightweight’.

The unexpected move prompted his closest rival, Senator Ted Cruz, to challenge him to a one-on-one debate.

Trump’s campaign manager announced the decision on Tuesday evening, with just 48 hours to go before the debate.

‘He will not be participating in the Fox News debate Thursday,’ Corey Lewandowski said immediately after the press conference, reports the BBC.

The announcement followed a press conference in which Trump lashed out at Kelly, claiming she had been ‘toying’ with him.

Trump said he intended to hold a separate Iowa event at the same time as the debate to raise money for wounded veterans. Iowa hosts the nation’s opening presidential primary contest on Monday.

‘With me, they’re dealing with somebody that’s a little bit different,’ he said.

‘They can’t toy with me like they toy with everybody else. Let them have their debate and let’s see how they do with the ratings.’

BDST: 1250 HRS, JAN 27, 2016
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