On Monday, health minister Matt Hancock, who quit the race on Friday, also backed Johnson, despite their contrasting views on Brexit, saying he was almost certain to win the contest. "We must leave the EU on October 31st, with or without a deal," Johnson wrote again on Twitter on Tuesday. Johnson was due to participate in a televised debate on Tuesday evening along with the candidates who survive the second round of voting. Those who do not receive the backing of more than 33 of the 313 Conservative lawmakers will be eliminated. Johnson won the support of 114 Conservative lawmakers in the first round of the leadership contest.

Source: bd News24 June 18, 2019 08:26 UTC