Next week Britain will have new Prime Minister – tipped to be Boris Johnson – and the loser – probably Jeremy Hunt – will be fighting for his place in the Cabinet. But the pair clashed one more time – this time in a head-to-head debate hosted by The Sun and TalkRADIO. The Tory leadership rivals clashed over Brexit as Tory members prepare to cast their vote for the new Prime Minister, who will be installed on July 24
Asked for their preference between a second referendum and a general election to break the Brexit deadlock, Mr Hunt said “neither” while Mr Johnson said “I refuse to choose”.
Mr Johnson ruled out a snap election, saying: “I think it would be the height of folly.
“I think the people of this country are utterly fed up with politicians coming back to them offering referendums or elections.”
But keen to attack Mr Johnson over his Brexit deadline, Mr Hunt said “if you get this wrong you will end up in an election” before Brexit and hand the keys to Number 10 to Jeremy Corbyn – “the one person who will never ever deliver Brexit”.
With Mr Johnson tipped to the top job, Tory heavyweights are reported to be locked in a furious battle for jobs in the cabinet of the former London Mayor.
Tory members are currently voting for their next leader, with the victor to be announced on July 23.
The following day they will be sworn in as prime minister.
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9.48am update: Ursula von der Leyen backs third Brexit delay
The woman set to become the next head of the EU has announced she’s willing to back a third delay to Brexit.
In her confirmation speech to the European Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen said she will back postponing Britain leaving the EU beyond October 31 if there’s a “good reason”.
And she said: “In any case the UK will remain our ally, our partner and our friend.”
Ms von der Leyen is standing to be the President of the European Commission, the body which has led Brexit negotiations with the UK. Although this would give her influence, any decision to offer a delay would be up to the 27 other EU countries’ national leaders in the European Council.
Brexit was delayed first from March 29 to mid-April, and then to October 31 this year.
Boris Johnson , who’s expected to be Prime Minister from next week, has vowed to leave on October 31 “do or die”.
9.34am update: Grieve hints he will resign the Tory whip
Former attorney general Dominic Grieve has raised the prospect that he will resign the Tory whip in the event of Boris Johnson becoming prime minister.
But, speaking at a People’s Vote campaign launch, the Tory MP said there is “no reason” to quit if rival Jeremy Hunt succeeds.
Mr Grieve said: “There will be no reason to resign the Tory whip, I think, if Jeremy becomes prime minister.
“I’ve expressed my concerns about the suitability of Boris Johnson as prime minister of the United Kingdom and that’s a suitability issue that goes way beyond the issue of Brexit.
“But what I have said repeatedly is that I will consult with my colleagues about the best course of action if he wins the leadership.”
8.46am update: Boris refuses to commit to reducing migration
Tory leadership front runner Boris Johnson has refused to commit to reduce net immigration after Brexit as he faced his rival in the final head-to-head debate of the contest.
The former foreign secretary and Jeremy Hunt agreed that the vote to leave the European Union was a message to “control” immigration, but Mr Johnson did not say how he would achieve it.
He said: “I’m not going to get into some numbers game with you.”
His comments are likely to cause concern among some Tory Party members who would like Mr Johnson to bear down on net immigration if he becomes the next prime minister.
Mr Hunt pointed to his time as health secretary to describe how he would bring down numbers.
He added: “It’s boosting the education and skills levels of our own people that’s the right way to do it.”
