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Tory leadership: Johnson and Hunt set for TV debate clash Tory leadership: Johnson and Hunt set for TV debate clash
(about 1 hour later)
Conservative leadership rivals Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt will debate head-to-head later for the first time in front of a live TV audience.Conservative leadership rivals Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt will debate head-to-head later for the first time in front of a live TV audience.
Party members are voting on which of the two men should succeed Theresa May as leader and prime minister, with the winner due to be announced on 23 July.Party members are voting on which of the two men should succeed Theresa May as leader and prime minister, with the winner due to be announced on 23 July.
The hour-long debate is being broadcast on ITV from 20:00 BST.The hour-long debate is being broadcast on ITV from 20:00 BST.
Meanwhile, ex-Tory leader William Hague warned the men not to "underestimate the chances of a no-deal Brexit".Meanwhile, ex-Tory leader William Hague warned the men not to "underestimate the chances of a no-deal Brexit".
He said it was "important not to be hooked on a single date" to leave the EU, and the only "satisfactory and orderly way" to exit was to agree a deal.He said it was "important not to be hooked on a single date" to leave the EU, and the only "satisfactory and orderly way" to exit was to agree a deal.
Lord Hague also told BBC Radio 4's Today programme both candidates should rule out suspending - or proroguing - Parliament in order to push through a no-deal Brexit.Lord Hague also told BBC Radio 4's Today programme both candidates should rule out suspending - or proroguing - Parliament in order to push through a no-deal Brexit.
Mr Hunt and Mr Johnson have been taking part in hustings across the UK, but this is the first time they have shared a stage since they were confirmed as the final two candidates.Mr Hunt and Mr Johnson have been taking part in hustings across the UK, but this is the first time they have shared a stage since they were confirmed as the final two candidates.
They will face questions from members of the public, including Tory activists, on Brexit and other issues.They will face questions from members of the public, including Tory activists, on Brexit and other issues.
'More positive''More positive'
Mr Johnson told the BBC he had said "some pretty critical things about the Brexit negotiations so far and that's one of the reasons I'm standing tonight". Mr Johnson told the BBC there was a chance to "do things differently" and "break away from the failed, old, can-kicking approach".
He said there was a chance to "do things differently" and "break away from the failed, old, can-kicking approach".
"Now's the time to really get a grip on this, stop being so defeatist on our approach to the EU negotiations, and maybe be a lot more positive about our country and what it can do.""Now's the time to really get a grip on this, stop being so defeatist on our approach to the EU negotiations, and maybe be a lot more positive about our country and what it can do."
Both candidates have said they are looking forward to the TV debate. Asked whether US President Donald Trump was right to criticise Mrs May and the way talks with the EU have been handled, Mr Johnson replied: "Myself, I have said some pretty critical things about the Brexit negotiations so far and that's one of the reasons I'm standing."
The 160,000 or so Conservative members eligible to take part have already begun voting by post, after ballot papers started arriving at people's homes last week.The 160,000 or so Conservative members eligible to take part have already begun voting by post, after ballot papers started arriving at people's homes last week.
It will be the first time a sitting prime minister has been chosen by party members.It will be the first time a sitting prime minister has been chosen by party members.
Mr Hunt had been pressing for the TV debate to take place earlier, warning that many people will have made up their minds before seeing the two men cross-questioned on live TV. Mr Hunt had been pressing for the TV debate to take place earlier, warning that many people will have made up their minds before seeing the two men cross-questioned on live TV - but Mr Johnson has resisted calls to take part in other head-to-head encounters.
The show, entitled Britain's Next Prime Minister: The ITV Debate, will be hosted by journalist Julie Etchingham in front of a studio audience of 200 people at MediaCityUK in Salford.The show, entitled Britain's Next Prime Minister: The ITV Debate, will be hosted by journalist Julie Etchingham in front of a studio audience of 200 people at MediaCityUK in Salford.
After short opening statements, the two men will face questions from ITV viewers submitted in advance and selected by the broadcaster.After short opening statements, the two men will face questions from ITV viewers submitted in advance and selected by the broadcaster.
Mr Johnson, the former Mayor of London, is regarded as the clear frontrunner in the race, having won the support of more than 50% of Tory MPs in the first phase of the contest.Mr Johnson, the former Mayor of London, is regarded as the clear frontrunner in the race, having won the support of more than 50% of Tory MPs in the first phase of the contest.
Mr Hunt, the current foreign secretary, has in recent days won the endorsements of former leaders Sir John Major and Lord Hague.Mr Hunt, the current foreign secretary, has in recent days won the endorsements of former leaders Sir John Major and Lord Hague.
Both men have said they would prefer to leave the EU on 31 October with a negotiated deal but are willing to get out without an agreement if necessary.Both men have said they would prefer to leave the EU on 31 October with a negotiated deal but are willing to get out without an agreement if necessary.
They have also made bold spending promises and offers of tax cuts - which have been criticised by financial experts and Chancellor Philip Hammond.They have also made bold spending promises and offers of tax cuts - which have been criticised by financial experts and Chancellor Philip Hammond.
'Wrong to set specific date''Wrong to set specific date'
Lord Hague - also a former foreign secretary - said one of the reasons he was backing Mr Hunt was because he was not wedded to having to leave the EU on 31 October.Lord Hague - also a former foreign secretary - said one of the reasons he was backing Mr Hunt was because he was not wedded to having to leave the EU on 31 October.
He told Today: "My own opinion… is that it's wrong to set a specific date. Would we really say we have to leave on 31 October if we thought that we could bet better prepared for that on 31 December, or if we had made an agreement with the EU in the course of October and it was necessary to pass the legislation through?He told Today: "My own opinion… is that it's wrong to set a specific date. Would we really say we have to leave on 31 October if we thought that we could bet better prepared for that on 31 December, or if we had made an agreement with the EU in the course of October and it was necessary to pass the legislation through?
"It is important not to be hooked on a single date, and I think Jeremy Hunt has made that point, but Boris Johnson is hooked on a specific date and that is one of the reasons I haven't voted for him.""It is important not to be hooked on a single date, and I think Jeremy Hunt has made that point, but Boris Johnson is hooked on a specific date and that is one of the reasons I haven't voted for him."
Lord Hague said there would only be "a very small landing space" for whoever became the next PM to renegotiate with the EU, but it was important to seize that, rather than pursue a no-deal Brexit against the views of business and Parliament.Lord Hague said there would only be "a very small landing space" for whoever became the next PM to renegotiate with the EU, but it was important to seize that, rather than pursue a no-deal Brexit against the views of business and Parliament.
He added: "For a Conservative government to go ahead with a no-deal Brexit in defiance of the pleas of business and farming organisations, and increasing the risk to the union of the United Kingdom, and defying any attempts to have a vote in Parliament, would be an extraordinary combination of things to do."He added: "For a Conservative government to go ahead with a no-deal Brexit in defiance of the pleas of business and farming organisations, and increasing the risk to the union of the United Kingdom, and defying any attempts to have a vote in Parliament, would be an extraordinary combination of things to do."