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Boris Johnson denies he was shut out of intelligence briefings – live news Tory leadership: Johnson denies intelligence claims as John Major backs Hunt – live news
(32 minutes later)
Here’s a summary of what learned from the Darlington hustings:
Boris Johnson has denied a BBC report that he was kept away from intelligence briefings. “It’s not true,” he said and added: “I am extremely dubious about the provenance of this story.”
Jeremy Hunt refused to comment on the story. He said: “We have the finest intelligence services in the world, but that does depend on some discretion by the foreign secretary”
Johnson said he could have more money outside politics as an example of where he had put the national interest above his own self interest. “It is obviously possible to make more money by not being a full time politician. You have to make sacrifices sometimes,” he said.
Johnson defended free speech and in his public gaffes. He said: “When people say you are making a gaffe, what you are doing is saying something true and necessary.” He added: “I deplore xenophobia and hate speech but I do think we should be able to speak our minds frankly without the fear that we’re going to get our heads bitten off.”
Johnson claimed he was never in favour of the Conservative austerity programme and resisted David Cameron’s plan for an austerity Olympics. “That not the stuff to give the troops,” Johnson claimed he told Cameron.
Jeremy Hunt said austerity “went too far” on cuts to policing and social care. But he said this was only with the benefit of hindsight.
Hunt pleaded with MPs not to take a no-deal off the table in Brexit negotiations. “The best way to get a deal is to leave no-deal on the table,” he said. Earlier the chancellor warned Hunt and Johnson that parliament would find a way of blocking no deal.
In a pointed dig at his rival Hunt said he thought about the British Iranian Nazanin Zeghari-Ratcliffe every day she is jail. Her family claimed she was put at greater risk when Johnson falsely claimed she was in Iran to train journalists.
Hunt made new promises on immigration and the environment. He promised to reconsider the £30,000 salary level as too high for business. And he suggested a national programme for installing electric car charging points.
John Major has backed Hunt’s campaign for leadership of the party. “We need a serious leader for serious times,” he told the BBC.
And that’s it from Darlington. I’ll post a summary soon. In the meantime, Downing Street has played down reports that Johnson was shut out of intelligence briefings.And that’s it from Darlington. I’ll post a summary soon. In the meantime, Downing Street has played down reports that Johnson was shut out of intelligence briefings.
Asked whether the PM had trusted Boris Johnson, a spokeswoman for Theresa May said she had done. “It is a matter of fact that it was the PM’s own decision to appoint Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary in full knowledge of all the responsibility that that job involves”.Asked whether the PM had trusted Boris Johnson, a spokeswoman for Theresa May said she had done. “It is a matter of fact that it was the PM’s own decision to appoint Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary in full knowledge of all the responsibility that that job involves”.
On austerity Hunt admitted that cuts went too far on police funding and social care.On austerity Hunt admitted that cuts went too far on police funding and social care.
Jeremy Hunt says Cameron and Oborne's austerity programme "went too far" in some areas, with benefit of hindsight. He cites police numbers and social care as two areas worst hit by austerity.Jeremy Hunt says Cameron and Oborne's austerity programme "went too far" in some areas, with benefit of hindsight. He cites police numbers and social care as two areas worst hit by austerity.
Q: Would a no-deal Brexit ruin the Conservative’s reputation as the party of business?Q: Would a no-deal Brexit ruin the Conservative’s reputation as the party of business?
Hunt: We are the party of business but also the party that respects democracy. This is a country where politicians do what people tell them. We are going to leave the EU and make it a tremendous success.Hunt: We are the party of business but also the party that respects democracy. This is a country where politicians do what people tell them. We are going to leave the EU and make it a tremendous success.
Q: Name a policy to improve the environment.Q: Name a policy to improve the environment.
Hunt: We have to show young people that we are true Conservatives by leaving the planet in a cleaner state. On specifics Hunt suggests putting in charging points for electric vehicles. When installing new internet capacity he said: “Why don’t we put in electric car charging points so we get electric only car towns and cities?”Hunt: We have to show young people that we are true Conservatives by leaving the planet in a cleaner state. On specifics Hunt suggests putting in charging points for electric vehicles. When installing new internet capacity he said: “Why don’t we put in electric car charging points so we get electric only car towns and cities?”
Q: Does the need to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland mean we can’t leave the EU?Q: Does the need to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland mean we can’t leave the EU?
Hunt: I believe their is a technological solution, but it will take time. The EU must know that the backstop will never get through parliament which is why they must discuss technological solutions.Hunt: I believe their is a technological solution, but it will take time. The EU must know that the backstop will never get through parliament which is why they must discuss technological solutions.
Hunt agreed that the debate on this before the referendum was not good.Hunt agreed that the debate on this before the referendum was not good.
On immigration, Hunt says he would reconsider the £30,000 salary limit. He said the current limit is not good for business. He promises a royal commission on the issue.On immigration, Hunt says he would reconsider the £30,000 salary limit. He said the current limit is not good for business. He promises a royal commission on the issue.
Hunt said: “I am concerned about the £30,000 salary limit, because that is too high for the needs of many businesses.”Hunt said: “I am concerned about the £30,000 salary limit, because that is too high for the needs of many businesses.”
As he answers questions from the audience, Hunt has just won the backing of John Major. “We need a serious leader for serious times,” the former prime minister told the BBC’s Hard Talk programme.As he answers questions from the audience, Hunt has just won the backing of John Major. “We need a serious leader for serious times,” the former prime minister told the BBC’s Hard Talk programme.
Sir John: ”I do find that many of the things that have been said by Boris Johnson and by many others to be in conflict with reality as I understand it.” He added though that he was “not here for character assassination of Boris Johnson”.Sir John: ”I do find that many of the things that have been said by Boris Johnson and by many others to be in conflict with reality as I understand it.” He added though that he was “not here for character assassination of Boris Johnson”.
Q: When was the last time you let someone down?Q: When was the last time you let someone down?
Hunt says he thinks about Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe every day. “I am letting down Nazanin Zeghari-Ratcliffe every day she remains in jail.”Hunt says he thinks about Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe every day. “I am letting down Nazanin Zeghari-Ratcliffe every day she remains in jail.”
“I’ve tried very hard to get her out, I’ve met her husband Richard Ratcliffe on several occasions, she has a daughter the same age as my daughter.”“I’ve tried very hard to get her out, I’ve met her husband Richard Ratcliffe on several occasions, she has a daughter the same age as my daughter.”
Q: would you accept a place in Johnson’s cabinet?Q: would you accept a place in Johnson’s cabinet?
Hunt: After Brexit we have to come together, which is why there will always be a place for Boris Johnson in my cabinet. I would of course be proud to serve in Boris Johnson’s cabinet.Hunt: After Brexit we have to come together, which is why there will always be a place for Boris Johnson in my cabinet. I would of course be proud to serve in Boris Johnson’s cabinet.
The best way to get a deal is to leave no-deal on the table, Hunt repeats.
To Tory colleagues he said: “Please don’t take no-deal off the table”. This is loudly applauded.
Q: Is Brexit like being emancipated from Slavery?
Hunt: We need to dial down the rhetoric on all sides and be the best of friends.
Asked about Islamophobia, Hunt said “we have to root out all prejudice in our party” which is why he said he backs an inquiry into the issue.
Q: Are you confident you are seeing all intelligence briefings?
Hunt: we can’t comment on intelligence. “Sorry I’m not commenting on intelligence matters.”
“We have the finest intelligence services in the world, but that does depend on some discretion by the foreign secretary”.
Jeremy Hunt resolutely refusing to comment on the Boris intelligence story, to applause from the audience.
Hunt promises that he won’t take the Tories into a general election until it recruits more young people as members. He said: We could elect our own populist, or we could do better, we could elect our Jeremy.
Jeremy Hunt is up next. He starts by praising Darlington’s railway history and its current record on engineering and exporting bridges.
He said the main difference between him and Johnson is his ability to negotiate a deal, and trots out his well-worn lines about being an entrepreneur.
Johnson can’t remember the location of the sausage factory he visited yesterday, describing it as “somewhere in Yorkshire”. The audience laughs.
Asked about Tory MPs voting against whatever Brexit deal has been present to parliament, Johnson said: “I think that they’re just going to have to get used to the fact that unless we get on and do this we’re going to keep on haemorrhaging support.”
Johnson suggested he won’t accept chlorinated chicken being imported from the US after Brexit.
Boris Johnson says any future international trade deals will uphold UK’s agricultural and animal welfare standards - I.e, no chlorinated chicken. pic.twitter.com/psjnKBSn8g
Johnson claims he was never a fan of austerity.
“Austerity is not a helpful term. I never liked it. I remember Dave Cameron saying he wanted an austerity Olympics and I said: ‘No way mate.’ That’s not the stuff to give the troops.”
Boris Johnson on austerity: "I never liked it. I remember Dave Cameron saying to me he wanted to have an austerity Olympics. I said 'No way mate! That's not the stuff to give the troops'."