Mike Pence and Kamala Harris clashed over Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic during their vice-presidential debate on Wednesday, with the Democratic challenger accusing the president of “the greatest failure” in the history of the office.

In contrast with last week’s chaotic presidential debate, Mr Pence, the vice-president, and Ms Harris, California senator, avoided name-calling. Instead, the proceedings in Salt Lake City were marked by both candidates frequently sidestepping questions — and social media commentators focusing on a fly that sat on Mr Pence’s head for two minutes.

Ms Harris made history as the first black woman to appear in a US presidential or vice-presidential debate. But the event was unlikely to change the contours of a race in which Mr Trump trails behind Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate, in the polls ahead of the November 3 election.