This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/jun/24/tory-leadership-latest-boris-johnson-jeremy-hunt-calls-boris-johnson-a-coward-for-dodging-tv-debates-and-interviews-live-news

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Johnson branded 'Bottler Boris' by Hunt's team after no-show leads to Sky cancelling debate – live news Johnson branded 'Bottler Boris' by Hunt's team after no-show leads to Sky cancelling debate – live news
(32 minutes later)
Jeremy Hunt has stepped up his criticism of Boris Johnson for avoiding media scrutiny in the Tory leadership campaign, calling it “disrespectful”, as another minister said Johnson could be brought down by his own MPs if he pushed for a no-deal Brexit.
Boris Johnson’s refusal to face public scrutiny as he runs for the Conservative party leadership has prompted Sky News to cancel a televised debate this week.
John Griffin, one of the Conservative party’s most generous donors, has joined a growing chorus of demands for Boris Johnson to explain why police were called to his home after an altercation with his partner.
The People’s Vote campaign has criticised plans published by the Alternative Arrangements Commission for an alternative to the backstop as unworkable. In a statement responding to the report (see 12.27pm) issued by People’s Vote, the Labour MP Owen Smith said:
The idea of trying to replace the Northern Ireland Backstop with so-called ‘alternative arrangements’ has already been tested to destruction - there is no political will to do so from either Ireland, the rest of the EU or most importantly the people of Northern Ireland, particularly those living on or near the border. This new report does nothing to address that crucial underlying point.
Talk of vague ‘technological solutions’, special economic zones or checks away from the border still fail to meet the basic test for a durable solution to this intractable problem - it needs to have the consent of both the people of Northern Ireland and of the Republic of Ireland: those who it will affect the most. And it’s clear it doesn’t have that consent on either side of the border.
The Alternative Arrangements Commission is nothing more or less than a desperate attempt to make a square peg fit into a round hole in order to try and hold the warring factions of the Conservative Party together. The future of Northern Ireland is too important to be treated like this. The only way to a deliver a lasting and stable solution to this problem is to give the public the final say.
The Brexit party is to launch a formal legal challenge against the result of this month’s Peterborough byelection, where it was narrowly beaten by Labour, claiming that allegations of corruption connected to postal votes need to be investigated.
Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, has put forward the prospect of a coalition with the Conservative party to ensure the UK leaves the EU without a deal, and offered Boris Johnson his support following his row with his partner.
Nick Clegg, Facebook’s head of communications, has dismissed allegations that misuse of the social network influenced the Brexit referendum result.
The former deputy prime minister John Prescott has been admitted to hospital after having a stroke, prompting messages of support from current and former Labour leaders. This is from Jeremy Corbyn.
My thoughts are with my good friend @JohnPrescott and his family and friends at this difficult time. I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery. I'd like to thank the paramedics and hard-working staff at Hull Royal Infirmary. We know John loves our NHS and today the NHS loves him pic.twitter.com/hYw0POD0u3
Ken Clarke, the Tory pro-European, has reaffirmed his willingness to vote against the government in a no-confidence debate to stop a no-deal Brexit. Asked about this possible scenario on The World at One, he said:
It depends on the circumstances at the time and what whoever is prime minister is putting forward as the policy he is going to pursue.
But I am not going to vote in favour of a government that says it is going to pursue policies which are totally incompatible with everything the Conservative party has stood for under all those prime ministers for the decades that I have been in parliament.
Here is a source from the Jeremy Hunt camp responding to the news that Sky has cancelled the leaders’ debate planned for tomorrow because Boris Johnson has refused to attend. (See 11.07am.) The source said:Here is a source from the Jeremy Hunt camp responding to the news that Sky has cancelled the leaders’ debate planned for tomorrow because Boris Johnson has refused to attend. (See 11.07am.) The source said:
Bottler Boris and his complacent campaign have shown they can’t trust their candidate to turn up and perform.Bottler Boris and his complacent campaign have shown they can’t trust their candidate to turn up and perform.
David Henig, the former civil servant who now heads the UK Trade Policy Project, has written a Twitter thread with a good commentary on the Alternative Arrangements Commission conference. (See 12.27pm and 12.35pm.) It starts here.David Henig, the former civil servant who now heads the UK Trade Policy Project, has written a Twitter thread with a good commentary on the Alternative Arrangements Commission conference. (See 12.27pm and 12.35pm.) It starts here.
Today I'll attend a conference arranged by the 'Alternative Arrangements Commission' - even though I've been critical of the work of some of those involved in the past. They invited me though, and we need proper dialogue to solve our Brexit issues. pic.twitter.com/97uDZDrtI5Today I'll attend a conference arranged by the 'Alternative Arrangements Commission' - even though I've been critical of the work of some of those involved in the past. They invited me though, and we need proper dialogue to solve our Brexit issues. pic.twitter.com/97uDZDrtI5
Today’s Evening Standard, which is backing Boris Johnson for the Conservative party leadership, is splashing on a story based on a picture apparently showing Johnson making up with his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds.Today’s Evening Standard, which is backing Boris Johnson for the Conservative party leadership, is splashing on a story based on a picture apparently showing Johnson making up with his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds.
Today’s ⁦@EveningStandard⁩ as a picture of the happy couple emerges pic.twitter.com/Yjxa99Ng9BToday’s ⁦@EveningStandard⁩ as a picture of the happy couple emerges pic.twitter.com/Yjxa99Ng9B
My colleague Owen Jones thinks that, in the light of the way the Johnsonites have been complaining about “Corbynista curtain-twitchers” and the like (see 10.35am), this is an example of hypocrisy.My colleague Owen Jones thinks that, in the light of the way the Johnsonites have been complaining about “Corbynista curtain-twitchers” and the like (see 10.35am), this is an example of hypocrisy.
Hold on, isn’t this entirely spontaneous and non planned photograph Stasi interference into people’s private lives? https://t.co/LrVMffuQ7rHold on, isn’t this entirely spontaneous and non planned photograph Stasi interference into people’s private lives? https://t.co/LrVMffuQ7r
These are from my colleague Lisa O’Carroll, who has been attending the Alternative Arrangements Commission conference this morning.These are from my colleague Lisa O’Carroll, who has been attending the Alternative Arrangements Commission conference this morning.
Northern Ireland Retail Consortium director, Aodhán Connolly said the Alt Arrangements economic freezones would create borders within borders. This wd not comply with the Dec 2017 joint report to avoid "hard border, including any infrastructure or related checks and controls"Northern Ireland Retail Consortium director, Aodhán Connolly said the Alt Arrangements economic freezones would create borders within borders. This wd not comply with the Dec 2017 joint report to avoid "hard border, including any infrastructure or related checks and controls"
Shankar Singham: Says the UK and the EU were wrong to interpret the December 2017 report as saying there shd not be infrastructure anywhere in NI. "we don’t think that’s a valid interpretation - we don’t think that’s a valid interpretation. "Shankar Singham: Says the UK and the EU were wrong to interpret the December 2017 report as saying there shd not be infrastructure anywhere in NI. "we don’t think that’s a valid interpretation - we don’t think that’s a valid interpretation. "
Shanker Singham is a member of the commission, and a pro-Brexit trade expert.Shanker Singham is a member of the commission, and a pro-Brexit trade expert.
Shankar Singham asked about how alternative arrangements will tackle smuggling. Points out there is "considerable amount of smuggling on the EU’s external borders now and in their internal borders".Shankar Singham asked about how alternative arrangements will tackle smuggling. Points out there is "considerable amount of smuggling on the EU’s external borders now and in their internal borders".
Alternative Arrangements Commission point out that Ireland is no stranger to special economic zones - Shannon Free Zone near Shannon Airport is the biggest such zone in EUAlternative Arrangements Commission point out that Ireland is no stranger to special economic zones - Shannon Free Zone near Shannon Airport is the biggest such zone in EU
Irish delegate Cathal Lee, former Fianna Fail staffer tells AAC conference that this conversation about alternative arrangements should have been held in "March, April 2016" to explain to voters Irish border was complicatedIrish delegate Cathal Lee, former Fianna Fail staffer tells AAC conference that this conversation about alternative arrangements should have been held in "March, April 2016" to explain to voters Irish border was complicated
As my colleague Lisa O’Carroll reports, the Alternative Arrangements Commission, which was set up to look at ways of managing the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland after Brexit to avoid the need for the backstop (which would effectively keep the UK in the customs union), has published an interim report today. There is a 35-page summary here (pdf), and the full 203-page interim report is here (pdf).As my colleague Lisa O’Carroll reports, the Alternative Arrangements Commission, which was set up to look at ways of managing the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland after Brexit to avoid the need for the backstop (which would effectively keep the UK in the customs union), has published an interim report today. There is a 35-page summary here (pdf), and the full 203-page interim report is here (pdf).
On the Today programme this morning Greg Hands, the former international trade minister and one of the co-chairs of the commission, said the ideas in the report were a viable alternative to the backstop. He said he thought it would be possible to negotiate this with the EU before 31 October, although he said it would take up to two to three years to introduce these alternative arrangements. He went on:On the Today programme this morning Greg Hands, the former international trade minister and one of the co-chairs of the commission, said the ideas in the report were a viable alternative to the backstop. He said he thought it would be possible to negotiate this with the EU before 31 October, although he said it would take up to two to three years to introduce these alternative arrangements. He went on:
We think it is possible to have this. We will be publishing next month an alternative arrangements protocol that could be inserted either into the withdrawal agreement or into any new form of Brexit that might be negotiated by the next UK prime minister.We think it is possible to have this. We will be publishing next month an alternative arrangements protocol that could be inserted either into the withdrawal agreement or into any new form of Brexit that might be negotiated by the next UK prime minister.
Hands accepted that, for traders in Ireland, his plans would not amount to “no change” from the status quo. But the proposals would avoid a hard border, he said.Hands accepted that, for traders in Ireland, his plans would not amount to “no change” from the status quo. But the proposals would avoid a hard border, he said.
The Brexit party is to launch a formal legal challenge against the result of this month’s Peterborough byelection, where it was narrowly beaten by Labour, alleging that allegations of corruption connected to postal votes need to be investigated.The Brexit party is to launch a formal legal challenge against the result of this month’s Peterborough byelection, where it was narrowly beaten by Labour, alleging that allegations of corruption connected to postal votes need to be investigated.
Nigel Farage, the party leader, insisted the challenge was about more than the loss to Labour by 683 votes, saying the wider use of postal votes was open to abuse and needed to be investigated. Speaking at a press conference in London, he said:Nigel Farage, the party leader, insisted the challenge was about more than the loss to Labour by 683 votes, saying the wider use of postal votes was open to abuse and needed to be investigated. Speaking at a press conference in London, he said:
I know people will say, ‘Oh, but it’s sour grapes.’ It isn’t.I know people will say, ‘Oh, but it’s sour grapes.’ It isn’t.
Actually, as far as I’m concerned, this is about a lot more than Peterborough. It is about a system that is wide open to corruption, to intimidation, to bribery, to abuse on a whole number of levels. I have mentioned this a number of times in the past.Actually, as far as I’m concerned, this is about a lot more than Peterborough. It is about a system that is wide open to corruption, to intimidation, to bribery, to abuse on a whole number of levels. I have mentioned this a number of times in the past.
The party plans to issue a petition under the 1983 Representation of the People Act, which allows election results to be challenged retrospectively for reasons including errors or corruption connected to the polling.The party plans to issue a petition under the 1983 Representation of the People Act, which allows election results to be challenged retrospectively for reasons including errors or corruption connected to the polling.
Such challenges are rare, with the last successful one coming in 2010, when the Labour minister Phil Woolas was ejected from his Oldham East and Saddleworth constituency after a specially convened election court upheld a complaint that Woolas had knowingly lied about his Lib Dem opponent.Such challenges are rare, with the last successful one coming in 2010, when the Labour minister Phil Woolas was ejected from his Oldham East and Saddleworth constituency after a specially convened election court upheld a complaint that Woolas had knowingly lied about his Lib Dem opponent.
One of the Conservative party’s most generous donors has joined a growing chorus of demands for Boris Johnson to explain why police were called to his home after an altercation with his partner. As my colleague Rajeev Syal reports, John Griffin, the taxi tycoon who has given £4m to the Tories over the last six years, has expressed concerns about the morality of the favourite to become prime minister and called on him to explain the circumstances of a furious row with his partner, Carrie Symonds.One of the Conservative party’s most generous donors has joined a growing chorus of demands for Boris Johnson to explain why police were called to his home after an altercation with his partner. As my colleague Rajeev Syal reports, John Griffin, the taxi tycoon who has given £4m to the Tories over the last six years, has expressed concerns about the morality of the favourite to become prime minister and called on him to explain the circumstances of a furious row with his partner, Carrie Symonds.
Top Tory party donor joins calls for Boris Johnson to explain rowTop Tory party donor joins calls for Boris Johnson to explain row
Boris Johnson has not generally been giving interviews since the Tory leadership contest formally started two weeks ago but a large number of his supporters have been touring the broadcast studios speaking on his behalf, with varying degrees of effectiveness.Boris Johnson has not generally been giving interviews since the Tory leadership contest formally started two weeks ago but a large number of his supporters have been touring the broadcast studios speaking on his behalf, with varying degrees of effectiveness.
One has been the Tory Brexiter Marcus Fysh. Speaking on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show, Fysh said it was “ridiculous” for Jeremy Hunt to call Johnson a coward for avoiding TV debates. (See 9.18am.) Fysh said:One has been the Tory Brexiter Marcus Fysh. Speaking on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show, Fysh said it was “ridiculous” for Jeremy Hunt to call Johnson a coward for avoiding TV debates. (See 9.18am.) Fysh said:
[Johnson] is certainly not a coward, as was said by his opponent today in a very negative way. That’s a ridiculous assertion to make.[Johnson] is certainly not a coward, as was said by his opponent today in a very negative way. That’s a ridiculous assertion to make.
In the interview, which was broadcast before Sky News announced it intended to cancel tomorrow’s debate (see 11.07am), Fysh also said “I don’t know” when asked if he thought Johnson should take part in the event. But he said he did not think Johnson needed to attend because he would be taking part in hustings “pretty much every day” for the next month.In the interview, which was broadcast before Sky News announced it intended to cancel tomorrow’s debate (see 11.07am), Fysh also said “I don’t know” when asked if he thought Johnson should take part in the event. But he said he did not think Johnson needed to attend because he would be taking part in hustings “pretty much every day” for the next month.
John Prescott, who was deputy prime minister for 10 years during Tony Blair’s Labour government, is recovering from a stroke, his family have said in a statement.John Prescott, who was deputy prime minister for 10 years during Tony Blair’s Labour government, is recovering from a stroke, his family have said in a statement.
A statement from the family of John Prescott. pic.twitter.com/0wgCNYn0ZVA statement from the family of John Prescott. pic.twitter.com/0wgCNYn0ZV
Jeremy Corbyn was due to be meeting union leaders this morning, ahead of a shadow cabinet meeting tomorrow where Labour will decide whether to firm up its support for a second referendum and remain. Corbyn has already said that the party would put any Brexit deal to a second referendum, but he has not committed Labour to backing remain, or committed the party to making remain a general election pledge.Jeremy Corbyn was due to be meeting union leaders this morning, ahead of a shadow cabinet meeting tomorrow where Labour will decide whether to firm up its support for a second referendum and remain. Corbyn has already said that the party would put any Brexit deal to a second referendum, but he has not committed Labour to backing remain, or committed the party to making remain a general election pledge.
Ahead of today’s meeting, the People’s Vote campaign has released a poll from YouGov of almost 2,000 trade unionists showing that, by a wide margin, they want a second referendum and want Labour to campaign for remain.Ahead of today’s meeting, the People’s Vote campaign has released a poll from YouGov of almost 2,000 trade unionists showing that, by a wide margin, they want a second referendum and want Labour to campaign for remain.
Here are some of the findings.Here are some of the findings.
The polls show that rank-and-file trade union members:The polls show that rank-and-file trade union members:
Support staying in the EU by a margin of 71 to 29% if there is a new referendum.Support staying in the EU by a margin of 71 to 29% if there is a new referendum.
Back having a people’s vote by 64 to 33%.Back having a people’s vote by 64 to 33%.
Support for such a final say referendum rises to 78% with just 17% opposed among trade unionists who voted Labour in the last general election.Support for such a final say referendum rises to 78% with just 17% opposed among trade unionists who voted Labour in the last general election.
Want Labour to campaign for the UK to stay in the EU by a three-to-one margin of 60 to 21% – rising to 74 to 10% among the party’s 2017 voters.Want Labour to campaign for the UK to stay in the EU by a three-to-one margin of 60 to 21% – rising to 74 to 10% among the party’s 2017 voters.
Commenting on the results, the Labour MP Jo Stevens, secretary of the trade union group of Labour MPs and a People’s Vote supporter, said:Commenting on the results, the Labour MP Jo Stevens, secretary of the trade union group of Labour MPs and a People’s Vote supporter, said:
Labour’s official position is still too far behind that of our party members and voters, not to mention grassroots trade unionists who are the bedrock of our movement.Labour’s official position is still too far behind that of our party members and voters, not to mention grassroots trade unionists who are the bedrock of our movement.
When Jeremy Corbyn meets with trade union general secretaries, I hope he hears the strong message from working people, trade union members up and down the country, that we want a people’s vote just like his constituents do in Islington – because now, more than ever, we need those voices to be heard.When Jeremy Corbyn meets with trade union general secretaries, I hope he hears the strong message from working people, trade union members up and down the country, that we want a people’s vote just like his constituents do in Islington – because now, more than ever, we need those voices to be heard.
I’m back in the office. And good news – the Palace of Westminster is not burning down. The fire alarm was a test.I’m back in the office. And good news – the Palace of Westminster is not burning down. The fire alarm was a test.
Earlier I said that Sky News was planning a TV debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt tomorrow, but that Johnson was refusing to take part. (See 9.18am.) But Sky News has now said it will cancel tomorrow’s event if Johnson refuses to participate and will challenge him instead to attend a debate a week today.Earlier I said that Sky News was planning a TV debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt tomorrow, but that Johnson was refusing to take part. (See 9.18am.) But Sky News has now said it will cancel tomorrow’s event if Johnson refuses to participate and will challenge him instead to attend a debate a week today.
Sky News has been planning to hold a debate tomorrow between the two remaining candidates in the Conservative leadership election.Jeremy Hunt has agreed to take part, but Boris Johnson has so far declined the invitation.Sky News has been planning to hold a debate tomorrow between the two remaining candidates in the Conservative leadership election.Jeremy Hunt has agreed to take part, but Boris Johnson has so far declined the invitation.
We stand ready to host a debate tomorrow evening if both candidates make themselves available. Without both candidates, tomorrow’s debate will not take place. But we will reissue our invitation for Mr Hunt and Mr Johnson to debate live on Sky News next Monday, 1 JulyWe stand ready to host a debate tomorrow evening if both candidates make themselves available. Without both candidates, tomorrow’s debate will not take place. But we will reissue our invitation for Mr Hunt and Mr Johnson to debate live on Sky News next Monday, 1 July
In his LBC phone-in this morning, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Tory Brexiter, strongly criticised the neighbours who recorded Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds having a furious row in her flat and who contacted the police because of their concerns, before alerting the Guardian. Rees-Mogg dismissed them as “Corbynista curtain-twitchers”. Asked about the incident, he said:In his LBC phone-in this morning, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Tory Brexiter, strongly criticised the neighbours who recorded Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds having a furious row in her flat and who contacted the police because of their concerns, before alerting the Guardian. Rees-Mogg dismissed them as “Corbynista curtain-twitchers”. Asked about the incident, he said:
I think it’s absolutely dreadful.I think it’s absolutely dreadful.
I think the idea that snooping neighbours are recording what is going on for political advantage and then Class War protesters are coming to politicians’ front doors – which happened to me as well – is not a good place for politics to be.I think the idea that snooping neighbours are recording what is going on for political advantage and then Class War protesters are coming to politicians’ front doors – which happened to me as well – is not a good place for politics to be.
I think politicians should feel safe and unmolested in their homes. I don’t think that’s an unreasonable thing to ask for ...I think politicians should feel safe and unmolested in their homes. I don’t think that’s an unreasonable thing to ask for ...
And snoopers are always unattractive. Corbynista curtain-twitchers are not attractive.And snoopers are always unattractive. Corbynista curtain-twitchers are not attractive.
(I’ve got to leave the office for a while because the fire alarm is going off, in what seems to be a regular Monday morning test. Hopefully I’ll be back in about 20 minutes.)(I’ve got to leave the office for a while because the fire alarm is going off, in what seems to be a regular Monday morning test. Hopefully I’ll be back in about 20 minutes.)
Sir Nicholas Soames, the Conservative former minister, has been tweeting critically about Boris Johnson this morning.Sir Nicholas Soames, the Conservative former minister, has been tweeting critically about Boris Johnson this morning.
As the new week begins we must hope that @BorisJohnson will tell us in detail how he intends to get to Brexit in a way that bears some relationship to the real world #cmonBorisletsheartheplanAs the new week begins we must hope that @BorisJohnson will tell us in detail how he intends to get to Brexit in a way that bears some relationship to the real world #cmonBorisletsheartheplan
Two questions for @BorisJohnson .How do you intend to take Britain out of The EU by Oct31? What is the fallback plan ? #youoweusthedetailTwo questions for @BorisJohnson .How do you intend to take Britain out of The EU by Oct31? What is the fallback plan ? #youoweusthedetail
But Nadine Dorries, a strong Johnson supporter, has been tweeting a message of support.But Nadine Dorries, a strong Johnson supporter, has been tweeting a message of support.
I’ve spoken to @BorisJohnson + @carriesymonds I am totally stunned at the level of harassment they have had to endure. Hate mail, left wing protests outside their flat, eavesdroppers. The stress is immense, more than most could endure.They are together, strong and united.I’ve spoken to @BorisJohnson + @carriesymonds I am totally stunned at the level of harassment they have had to endure. Hate mail, left wing protests outside their flat, eavesdroppers. The stress is immense, more than most could endure.They are together, strong and united.
Here is an extract from Boris Johnson’s Telegraph column today (paywall) where he reasserts his determination to take the UK out of the EU by 31 October. He says:Here is an extract from Boris Johnson’s Telegraph column today (paywall) where he reasserts his determination to take the UK out of the EU by 31 October. He says:
We are just over four months away from the date on which, by law, we must leave the EU; and this time we are not going to bottle it. We are not going to fail. This time we are not going to shrink in fear from the exit, as we have on the last two occasions. We are going to show all the mettle, the creativity and the energy of this amazing nation. We are going to focus all our efforts on honouring that single great promise – and we are going to come out of the EU on October 31.We are just over four months away from the date on which, by law, we must leave the EU; and this time we are not going to bottle it. We are not going to fail. This time we are not going to shrink in fear from the exit, as we have on the last two occasions. We are going to show all the mettle, the creativity and the energy of this amazing nation. We are going to focus all our efforts on honouring that single great promise – and we are going to come out of the EU on October 31.
Presumably this is not one of those Johnson columns that the Telegraph would describe as “clearly comically polemical” and something that “could not be reasonably read as a serious, empirical, in-depth analysis of hard factual matters”, which was the Telegraph response to the Independent Press Standards Organisation when a reader complained about Johnson making a false claim about Brexit public opinion in one of his columns earlier this year.Presumably this is not one of those Johnson columns that the Telegraph would describe as “clearly comically polemical” and something that “could not be reasonably read as a serious, empirical, in-depth analysis of hard factual matters”, which was the Telegraph response to the Independent Press Standards Organisation when a reader complained about Johnson making a false claim about Brexit public opinion in one of his columns earlier this year.
In his regular Daily Telegraph column this morning Boris Johnson, the favourite in the Tory leadership contest, reaffirms his commitment (seen as wobby by some) to deliver Brexit by 31 October in all circumstances. He declares four times that the UK will leave the EU by that date.In his regular Daily Telegraph column this morning Boris Johnson, the favourite in the Tory leadership contest, reaffirms his commitment (seen as wobby by some) to deliver Brexit by 31 October in all circumstances. He declares four times that the UK will leave the EU by that date.
TELEGRAPH: Boris: I won’t bottle Brexit #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/cWosoBXTrFTELEGRAPH: Boris: I won’t bottle Brexit #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/cWosoBXTrF
But this morning we’ve heard fresh evidence as to why Johnson could find delivering a no-deal Brexit by 31 October impossible. We have already heard the Tory MPs Dominic Grieve and Ken Clarke say they would vote against a Conservative government in a no-confidence debate to stop no deal, and MPs like Philip Hammond and Rory Stewart have hinted they might do the same. In an interview for the BBC, Tobias Ellwood, a defence minister, has said that in total about a dozen Tories would be willing to back a no-confidence motion in these circumstances. The government currently has a working majority, with the DUP, of around four, and so 12 Tories could easily bring down the new PM. Asked about Tory MPs supporting the “nuclear option”, denying the government Commons support to prevent no-deal, Ellwood said:But this morning we’ve heard fresh evidence as to why Johnson could find delivering a no-deal Brexit by 31 October impossible. We have already heard the Tory MPs Dominic Grieve and Ken Clarke say they would vote against a Conservative government in a no-confidence debate to stop no deal, and MPs like Philip Hammond and Rory Stewart have hinted they might do the same. In an interview for the BBC, Tobias Ellwood, a defence minister, has said that in total about a dozen Tories would be willing to back a no-confidence motion in these circumstances. The government currently has a working majority, with the DUP, of around four, and so 12 Tories could easily bring down the new PM. Asked about Tory MPs supporting the “nuclear option”, denying the government Commons support to prevent no-deal, Ellwood said:
I believe that absolutely is the case.I believe that absolutely is the case.
I think a dozen or so members of parliament would be on our side, would be voting against supporting a no-deal and that would include ministers as well as backbenchers.I think a dozen or so members of parliament would be on our side, would be voting against supporting a no-deal and that would include ministers as well as backbenchers.
Jeremy Hunt, Johnson’s rival for the Conservative leadership, has been citing this as one reason why a Johnson administration could quickly collapse. Hunt has been doing a round of interviews this morning and he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain:Jeremy Hunt, Johnson’s rival for the Conservative leadership, has been citing this as one reason why a Johnson administration could quickly collapse. Hunt has been doing a round of interviews this morning and he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain:
[Johnson] is going to come to power on a very fragile coalition of people like Matt Hancock who wants no deal taken off the table, and Mark Francois who wants no deal.[Johnson] is going to come to power on a very fragile coalition of people like Matt Hancock who wants no deal taken off the table, and Mark Francois who wants no deal.
Sometimes in politics you can fudge and get away with it but in the case of Brexit you are going to have to make decisions immediately, and that very fragile coalition will collapse immediately when you have to make those decisions.Sometimes in politics you can fudge and get away with it but in the case of Brexit you are going to have to make decisions immediately, and that very fragile coalition will collapse immediately when you have to make those decisions.
If that happens we won’t have another leadership contest, we will have Jeremy Corbyn in No 10 and there won’t be any Brexit at all.If that happens we won’t have another leadership contest, we will have Jeremy Corbyn in No 10 and there won’t be any Brexit at all.
Hunt also argued that this was why Johnson needed to stop dodging media scrutiny and agree to more TV debates, like the one planned by Sky tomorrow night (which Johnson is boycotting). In an article in the Times (paywall) this morning Hunt said Johnson was being a coward. He said:Hunt also argued that this was why Johnson needed to stop dodging media scrutiny and agree to more TV debates, like the one planned by Sky tomorrow night (which Johnson is boycotting). In an article in the Times (paywall) this morning Hunt said Johnson was being a coward. He said:
Boris has done just one interview on Today in the past year. I have done 16. He has not appeared on The Andrew Marr Show this year and his one broadcast interview of this campaign, with World at One, was arranged with just 10 minutes’ notice so Mark Mardell had no time to prepare questions. And now he is refusing point blank to do TV debates. Pathetically, within hours of getting through to the final two he “challenged” me to the ITV debate. I willingly accepted even though it was scheduled for three weeks later, after most members have received their postal votes and after many of them will have voted ...Boris has done just one interview on Today in the past year. I have done 16. He has not appeared on The Andrew Marr Show this year and his one broadcast interview of this campaign, with World at One, was arranged with just 10 minutes’ notice so Mark Mardell had no time to prepare questions. And now he is refusing point blank to do TV debates. Pathetically, within hours of getting through to the final two he “challenged” me to the ITV debate. I willingly accepted even though it was scheduled for three weeks later, after most members have received their postal votes and after many of them will have voted ...
The first debate that Boris has been invited to will be on Sky News tomorrow evening. I’ll be there. So don’t be a coward Boris, man up and show the nation you can cope with the intense scrutiny the most difficult job in the country will involve.The first debate that Boris has been invited to will be on Sky News tomorrow evening. I’ll be there. So don’t be a coward Boris, man up and show the nation you can cope with the intense scrutiny the most difficult job in the country will involve.
Here is the agenda for the day.Here is the agenda for the day.
9am: Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Tory Brexiter and chair of the European Research Group, holds an LBC phone-in.9am: Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Tory Brexiter and chair of the European Research Group, holds an LBC phone-in.
9.35am: Steve Barclay, the Brexit secretary, speaks at a conference where an interim report from the Alternative Arrangements Commission, which is looking at alternatives to the backstop, is being published.9.35am: Steve Barclay, the Brexit secretary, speaks at a conference where an interim report from the Alternative Arrangements Commission, which is looking at alternatives to the backstop, is being published.
10.30am: Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, holds a press conference on postal votes.10.30am: Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, holds a press conference on postal votes.
11am: John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, gives a speech on the economy and Labour’s plans for sustainable investment.11am: John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, gives a speech on the economy and Labour’s plans for sustainable investment.
11.20am: Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, gives a speech to the Law Society of Edinburgh.11.20am: Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, gives a speech to the Law Society of Edinburgh.
As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. I plan to publish a summary at lunchtime, and another when I wrap up.As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. I plan to publish a summary at lunchtime, and another when I wrap up.
You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads.You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads.
If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow.If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow.
I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone.I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone.
If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter.If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter.