BOJO BREAKS
Boris WILL debate rivals on BBC — but dodges ‘cacophonous’ Channel 4
BORIS JOHNSON broke cover yesterday to declare he’ll debate his leadership rivals next week – and rip up Theresa May’s Brexit deal to leave the EU.
After being mocked for ‘chickening out’ of confrontation, the Tory frontrunner said he would be “more than happy” to take part in a live BBC One contest next Tuesday.
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He will still dodge a Channel 4 debate this Sunday – claiming that a battle between the current six contestants risked being “cacophonous”.
But he told the BBC’s World At One programme he would take part in the broadcaster’s showdown on Tuesday – after a second round of voting likely to whittle the field down to four.
Mr Johnson said: “I think it is important that we have a sensible grown up debate.
“My own observation is that in the past when you’ve had loads of candidates, it can be slightly cacophonous and I think the public have had quite a lot of blue on blue action frankly over the last three years.”
“We don’t necessarily need a lot more of that and so what I think the best solution would be, would be to have a debate on what we all have to offer the country.
“And the best time to do that, I think, would be after the second ballot on Tuesday, and the best forum is the proposed BBC debate.
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“I think that’s a good idea.”
The move came just hours after The Sun revealed Boris’ six rivals had ganged up to demand all candidates took part in debates – saying it was “critical” their views were tested in front of the public.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt went on to taunt Mr Johnson directly yesterday morning. Mr Hunt said his rival should be “a little bit braver” and - referring to Mr Johnson’s hero - he asked: “What would Churchill say?”
Appearing to bow to pressure, Mr Johnson’s team arranged the World At One interview just 30 minutes before it aired at 1pm yesterday.
Channel 4 – which plans to confront the Tory leadership rivals with questions from a hand-picked audience- confirmed they plan to ‘empty chair’ Mr Johnson on Sunday as a result of his snub.
The war of words came in another extraordinary day in the leadership race as:
- SOURCES claimed Health Secretary Matt Hancock could throw his weight behind Boris Johnson in return for the job of Chancellor.
- SAJID Javid’s aides were forced to deny claims he could quit before Tuesday’s second round of voting.
- MPs said Boris Johnson supporters could ‘lend’ votes to Jeremy Hunt to ensure he makes the final two ahead of Michael Gove.
- MICHAEL Gove’s backers claimed Jeremy Hunt’s campaign was ‘finished’ as he can’t shake the idea that he is “Theresa May in trousers”.
Boris Johnson won Thursday’s first round of voting in the leadership contest with 114 votes – more than his three biggest rivals combined
Insiders said ‘Team Boris’ was now confident of signing up both Andrea Leadsom and Esther McVey – who were both knocked out Thursday -as well as up and coming Brexiteer MP Ben Bradley.
Sources claimed Mr Johnson’s “scouts” were also close to signing up at least two of Dominic Raab’s supporters.
The bookies odds-on favourite doubled down on his vow to quit the EU by October 31 in yesterday’s BBC interview.
And – beginning to map out more detail his divorce plan - he vowed to strip the controversial ‘Irish backstop’ out of the agreement Theresa May struck with Brussels. He insisted customs checks could be carried out away from the Irish border.
It would be bizarre to signal that the government was willing to run up the white flag and delay again
Boris Johnson
And Mr Johnson said he was convinced Brussels would fold in part because of the “existential threat” posed by Nigel Farage and his Brexit Party.
He said: “I think what they will see is that politics has changed in the UK and Europe, they now have 29 Brexit MEPs in Strasbourg [following the European Elections].”
Mr Johnson insisted once more that it was vital Britain left the EU on October 31 and that the “doom-mongers” were wrong about the potential fallout of a No Deal exit.
But doubters pounced on his comment that it would be wrong “at this stage” the UK government was willing to agree a fresh delay.
He told the BBC: “It would be absolutely bizarre to signal, at this stage, that the UK government was willing once again to run up the white flag and delay again. We’ve got to be out by October 31st.”
October 31st is completely unrealistic. There’s no quick fix and you’re really off into an abyss for a while
Eurocrats Source
Senior Eurocrats yesterday said Mr Johnson wouldn’t be able to deliver on the promise – even in a No Deal – because a transition period would be required to brace business and financial markets for the impact.
A source said a short technical extension lasting a “maximum of two months” would likely be sought – delaying Brexit until New Years’ Eve.
The source said: “October 31st is completely unrealistic. There’s no quick fix and you’re really off into an abyss for a while. That’s a nightmare scenario. If you simply look at the race you can’t ignore that the probability for a No Deal is going up.”
And EU negotiators urged Mr Johnson to stay away from Brussels immediately after any victory – for fear he’ll create a “boiling atmosphere” with unrealistic demands.
They said he should travel to Dublin, Paris and Berlin first to try and agree a way forward with key EU leaders.
An EU official said: “Choreography will be very important for him and us in order not to derail things.
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“Imagine he comes in July and he says I want to be out with or without a deal, and by the way I don’t want to pay the money or accept the backstop.
“It will fall like water on stone and immediately you will see a rupture with Brussels.
“Then we’re in an impossible situation and you end up with No Deal by default when it’s neither side’s intention.”
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