Boris is coming out of his shell

No-show Tory to join BBC debate

TORY leadership chicken Boris Johnson will finally break cover tonight after dodging grillings.

The wannabe Prime Minister snubbed a C4 debate on Sunday and a hustings with political journalists yesterday – but will now join his Tory rivals on TV in a BBC debate.

Leadership hopeful Rory Stewart, who bookies now rank second to frontrunner Mr Johnson, yesterday slammed his previous no-show.

He said: “He doesn’t as far as I can see have a plan. I say as far as I can see as he doesn’t talk to the public.”

And Michael Gove said: “Someone put it to me these hustings without Boris was like Hamlet without the Prince. Of course, at the end of Hamlet he isn’t the king.” Insiders on Mr Johnson’s campaign said he was worried about “blue on blue” attacks that would give Labour ammunition for the next election. But they also FOWL PLAY Our chicken and protester dressed as Boris at Commons yesterday fear the gaffe-prone former Foreign Secretary could put his foot in it.

One source said: “It’s Boris’s to lose. He’s his own biggest rival.”

He has also drawn flak for snubbing questions on drug use – forcing us to set the Mirror Chicken on him.

But Mr Johnson looks unstoppable in the race for No 10 with Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who pulled out last week, backing him in a bid to stay in the Cabinet.

International Development Secretary Mr Stewart, who began as the outsider, picked up momentum with de facto deputy PM David Lidington giving his support yesterday. But he must still lift his votes tally from 19 to at least 33 to go through today.