Johnson, the clear frontrunner with MPs and the Tory membership, was implicitly criticised by several of his rivals who said the race must put all the candidates under proper scrutiny. However, he has refused to say whether he will appear on a televised hustings next Tuesday and has avoided broadcast interviews. “Saying nothing, other than through a lucrative column in the Telegraph, is no way for a potential prime minister to conduct themselves. Hancock told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme his plan had the support of David Lidington, the de facto deputy prime minister, and that Brussels was open to the change. Defending Johnson, the former defence secretary Michael Fallon said he hoped the contest would not focus on personalities.

Source: The Guardian June 11, 2019 08:57 UTC