The Tory race for Number 10 is heating up as more ministers throw their hats in the ring for the prestigious post, releasing their campaign pledges in a bid to out beat their candidates and secure themselves premiership. Rivals lashed out at bookies’ favourite Boris Johnson, with contender Rory Stewart saying he wouldn’t serve under the former Foreign Secretary, while also calling him “Pinocchio”. And Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage told the Sunday Express Mr Johnson could not be trusted with Brexit. Mr Johnson’s ally has lashed out at what he called a campaign “smear”, after claims emerged he offered a second referendum between “WTO rules and Remain” in order to win the support of Remainers.
The source close to Mr Johnson told the Mail on Sunday: “It is not true. It is a dog ***** smear, pure and simple.”
Another Cabinet source said: “I have heard Boris float it. How serious he was is another matter.”
A total of eight candidates have announced they are standing for leader after Mrs May said she would resign on June 7.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and former Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey are also in the running for the top job.
Former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, and former Commons leader Andrea Leadsom revealed their leadership bids in the Sunday newspapers.
Michael Gove is also due to enter the race for Tory leader, facing head-to-head competition with his former Vote Leave ally Mr Johnson.
Meanwhile, Britons brace for the final results of the European Elections to be announced this evening.
Opinion polls have suggested Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party could be on course for victory in the European contests, with the Conservatives and Labour braced for a backlash from voters.
The Liberal Democrat are also expected to pick up votes.
Breixt Party leader Nigel Farage, who is standing in the South East constituency, said: “If you want Brexit, you’ve got to vote Brexit. We did it once, they ignored us, so we’re going to tell them again.”
Millions of EU citizens will head to the polls today in the last four days of voting in the European Parliament elections.
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9.45am update: Britain must leave EU even with NO Brexit deal – Esther McVey says
Conservative lawmaker Esther McVey is entering the Tory leadership race in hopes to succeed Theresa May.
She said on Sky news today: “The 31st Oct is the key date and we are coming out then and if that means without a deal, then that is what it means.
“That date is now fixed. We won’t be asking for any more extensions, that is part of the corrosive uncertainty that individuals, business and the country don’t want.”
“If Europe wants to come back to us, the door is open if they want a better deal.
“Time is limited, we have to make sure we are ready to leave.
