BORIS Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are to take part in a landmark Tory leadership debate hosted by The Sun, we can reveal. The two final contenders to be Britain’s next Prime Minister will go head to head in front of an audience of Sun readers and take their tough questions. The 90 minute-long showdown will […]
BORIS Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are to take part in a landmark Tory leadership debate hosted by The Sun, we can reveal.
The two final contenders to be Britain’s next Prime Minister will go head to head in front of an audience of Sun readers and take their tough questions.
The 90 minute-long showdown will be held in the week beginning July 15 at The Sun’s HQ, the News Building, overlooking London Bridge.
Coming at a crucial moment in the four week-long contest just before voting closes, it is set to be the duo’s final chance to influence a mass audience of the Conservatives’ 160,000 members.
The debate will be broadcast live on The Sun Online and across our social media channels as well as TalkRADIO.
Foreign Secretary Mr Hunt, who has dubbed himself the contest’s underdog, was the first to agree.
Last night frontrunner Boris also confirmed his attendance, saying: “I’m delighted to be taking part in The Sun’s debate, to sell my vision to its readers on how we will deliver Brexit and take the country forward as one”.
Mr Hunt last night went further and laid down the gauntlet to Mr Johnson to join him in three more live debates.
He also accused Boris of “hiding away”, after the former London Mayor has so far kept his media appearances to a minimum.
On the top of The Sun’s joust, and an ITV debate the pair have already agreed to, the BBC, Sky News and Channel 4 have also pitched proposals.
In a letter to Boris, Mr Hunt said: “The purpose of this stage is to test us – our plans, our policies, our character. I’m concerned that you have only so far committed to one TV debate.
“We do this country and our democracy a deep dis-service if we hide away until members have submitted their postal ballots.
“Scrutiny can be uncomfortable. But if we can’t handle it with friends, we won’t deserve to lead against our opponents.”
The 52 year-old Cabinet minister added: “My message is simple: if you want the job, you have to turn up for the interviews”.
Boris’s refusal to turn up to a debate being put on by Sky News on Tuesday next week has infuriated the news channel.
Its furious presenter Kay Burley tweeted: “The set’s built, the Tory supporting audience primed.
“Are you really going to let them and YOUR country down, Boris?
Boris and Mr Hunt will today issue their first plea to Tory members directly when they address the first of 16 different hustings events nationwide in the West Midlands this afternoon.
Mr Johnson hopes to turn a page on the controversy over whether his campaign chiefs rigged the Commons ballots to knock out the opponents he feared more, Michael Gove and Rory Stewart.
It has also emerged BoJo issued a direct order to his team to halt the shady practice of vote lending after several of them pointed the finger at Machiavellian ex-chief whip Gavin Williamson.
The winner and new PM will be crowned on the week of the 22 July.
