JEREMY Hunt was granted SIX meetings with Donald Trump this week – far more than any other would-be PM.
The Foreign Secretary has been at the forefront of the President’s state visit – which could prompt speculation No10 are trying to promote his leadership hopes.
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No other Tory leadership contender has been allowed to meet Mr Trump more than once with some shut out entirely.
Mr Hunt today denied he is the “continuity” candidate who will just copy Theresa May’s policies.
But the way No10 have put him at the centre of the state visit could make it appear he is the current PM’s chosen successor.
The Foreign Secretary was chosen to meet Mr Trump off the plane at Stansted on Monday.
He then attended the Buckingham Palace state banquet on Monday night, and talks at No10 on Tuesday.
Last night Mr Hunt was the only politician apart from Mrs May to be invited to dinner with the President at the US ambassador’s house.
He also held a private meeting with Mr Trump at the request of the White House.
And today the Foreign Secretary attended D-Day commemorations along with the President and Mrs May.
Michael Gove met Mr Trump once, at the state banquet, while Sajid Javid saw him in Portsmouth today.
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Rory Stewart and Matt Hancock, the other ministers in the race, weren’t offered the chance to meet the President at all.
Neither were Brexiteers Dominic Raab, Andrea Leadsom or Esther McVey.
Boris Johnson got a phone call from Mr Trump inviting him for a meeting but said he was too busy with the leadership race to attend.
The candidates who weren’t asked to see the President have insisted they weren’t bothered by the snub.
Mr Hunt today ramped up his campaign, releasing a slick video in which he recalled his origins as an entrepreneur.
And distancing himself from Mrs May, he told Conservative Home: “People often confuse continuity with loyalty.
“Throughout my nine years in Cabinet, I’ve always been a loyal team player, but as the first Prime Minister to have been an entrepreneur, I would take a very different approach.”
Other contenders today took potshots at frontrunner Boris – claiming he’s responsible for the Brexit mess.
Andrea Leadsom blasted: “I stayed in Government to fight for Brexit and those who didn’t made things that much harder.”
Timetable of Tory leadership election which will pick new PM
June 7: Theresa May stands down as party leader but will continue as PM until her successor is elected
June 10: Nominations for the leadership open 10am-5pm; candidates must have the support of eight MPs
June 13: First ballot of MPs, open 10am-12pm; any candidate with fewer than 13 votes eliminated
June 18: Second ballot (if needed), open 3pm-5pm; any candidate with fewer than 33 votes eliminated
June 19: Third ballot (if needed), open 3pm-5pm; candidate with fewest votes eliminated
June 20: Fourth ballot (if needed), open 10am-12pm; candidate with fewest votes eliminated
June 22: Second stage begins where votes shift from MPs to party activists who will choose between final two candidates
July 22: Result announced this week, in time for Commons recess to begin
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And Remainer Rory Stewart said Boris was “misleading” the public by claiming he can strike a brand-new deal by the October 31 deadline.
Hardline Brexiteer MPs today called on all candidates to sign up to their manifesto for a No Deal Brexit.
ERG boss Steve Baker warned he would launch his own campaign if the other contenders refused to commit to a so-called “managed No Deal”.
Only Brexiteers should be allowed in Cabinet, leadership contender says
BREXITEER candidate Esther McVey today vowed to sack all Cabinet Remainers if she becomes PM.
The longshot contender said she would only allow fellow Brexiteers at the top table.
She told LBC: “I believe at the moment we actually have to have a team that believes in Brexit.
“This is the most difficult delivery that we have got to give and we have got to give it by October 31.
“I think you need to have people who believe in Brexit to deliver this by October 31.”
Ms McVey’s threatened purge of Remain voters would see Amber Rudd, Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid and Matt Hancock – among others – instantly fired.
The former Work and Pensions Secretary is positioning herself as the most hardline Brexiteer in the race.
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