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Tory leadership: Johnson and Hunt making pitch to be PM Tory leadership: Johnson and Hunt make pitch to be PM
(32 minutes later)
Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are making their pitch to be the next Prime Minister as the first of 16 Conservative Party hustings begins. Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have made their pitch to be the next Prime Minister at the first of 16 Conservative Party hustings.
The two contenders for Number 10 are laying out their vision for the country at a conference in Birmingham. The two contenders for Number 10 laid out their vision for the country at a conference in Birmingham.
Speaking first, Mr Johnson admitted these were "dark days" for his party, but insisted he could turn things around and defeat Jeremy Corbyn. Speaking first, Mr Johnson admitted these were "dark days" for his party, but insisted he could turn things around.
He would not comment on questions about a late-night row with his partner. His rival said he could "deliver Brexit and send Corbyn packing".
Mr Hunt will speak second after the pair drew lots. Mr Johnson warned the most important thing was to "get Brexit done". He said: "My ambition is to unite this country and our society in the way I was able to do in London.
Mr Johnson said the most important thing was to "get Brexit done".
And he repeated his previous claim that it was "eminently feasible" to leave the EU by 31 October, saying he intended to make it happen.
He said: "My ambition is to unite this country and our society in the way I was able to do in London.
'New confidence''New confidence'
"Let's take Britain forward. We need to discover a new confidence in our country.""Let's take Britain forward. We need to discover a new confidence in our country."
Mr Hunt said: "We are in a very serious situation. Get things wrong, and and there will be no Conversative government and maybe even no Conservative Party.
"Get things right, and we can deliver Brexit, unite the party and sending Corbyn packing."
But he warned that if Tory party members elected the "wrong person" as leader, then "catastrophe awaits".
Mr Johnson said he would prepare for a no-deal Brexit if he became PM
He said: "We must be able to come out on WTO terms, so that for the first time in these negotiations we carry conviction.
"And it is precisely because we will be preparing between now and October 31 for a no deal Brexit that we will get the deal we need."
He repeated his previous claim that it was "eminently feasible" for the UK to leave the EU by October 31, saying he intended to make it happen.
The former Mayor of London featured on most of Saturday's newspaper front pages following reports by the Guardian that police were called to his London home after neighbours reported "slamming and banging".The former Mayor of London featured on most of Saturday's newspaper front pages following reports by the Guardian that police were called to his London home after neighbours reported "slamming and banging".
The Metropolitan Police have said they will not be taking any further action following the episode.
Asked by host, LBC presenter Iain Dale, whether character mattered when choosing a Prime Minister Mr Johnson said: "I don't think people want to hear about that."Asked by host, LBC presenter Iain Dale, whether character mattered when choosing a Prime Minister Mr Johnson said: "I don't think people want to hear about that."
Accused of ducking the question, Mr Johnson said: "People are entitled to ask me what I want to do for the country."Accused of ducking the question, Mr Johnson said: "People are entitled to ask me what I want to do for the country."
Questioned on the biggest personal crisis he had ever faced, Mr Johnson recalled the London riots.Questioned on the biggest personal crisis he had ever faced, Mr Johnson recalled the London riots.
He said: "I felt this absolutely overwhelming sense of obligation, responsibility and horror.He said: "I felt this absolutely overwhelming sense of obligation, responsibility and horror.
"I did everything I could to get out on the street and bring the city together.""I did everything I could to get out on the street and bring the city together."
Another questioner wanted to know whether Mr Johnson's approach to British business in the context of Brexit was as "cavalier and careless" as previously, when he used an expletive.Another questioner wanted to know whether Mr Johnson's approach to British business in the context of Brexit was as "cavalier and careless" as previously, when he used an expletive.
He replied: "I believe passionately in UK businesses, and as Foreign Secretary I spent a lot of my time promoting UK businesses at home abroad."He replied: "I believe passionately in UK businesses, and as Foreign Secretary I spent a lot of my time promoting UK businesses at home abroad."
Speaking at another Conservative conference earlier, Mr Hunt warned the party not to elect a "populist" and risk losing power to the "dangerous" Jeremy Corbyn. Mr Johnson's campaign has so far not responded to Mr Hunt's challenge to hold a live TV debate before party members cast their votes.
He said: "Now faced with a hard left populist, we could choose our own populist, or, do even better - and choose our own Jeremy." Members will receive their ballots between 6-8 July, with the new leader expected to be announced in the week beginning 22 July.
He described Labour's leadership as a "dangerous, ruthless, anti-western, anti-British, hard left cabal".
Mr Hunt also challenged his rival to a live TV debate before votes were cast.
Mr Johnson's campaign has so far not responded to Mr Hunt's challenge.
Party members will receive their ballots between 6-8 July, with the new leader expected to be announced in the week beginning 22 July.
Tory MPs whittled an initial list of 10 candidates down to two.
In the fifth and final round on Thursday, Boris Johnson came out on top with 160 out of the 313 votes cast. Mr Hunt received 77 votes and Michael Gove was knocked out with 75
Mr Johnson arrived at the hustings' main entrance, and did not respond to the gauntlet of journalists shouting questions about the late-night episode.
Earlier the Metropolitan Police said "there was no cause for police action" and a spokesman for Mr Johnson declined to comment.