BOJO ‘ONLY CARES ABOUT BEING PM’
CANDIDATES CLASH IN LEADERSHIP COUNTDOWN
BY DAVID CLEGG Political Editor BORIS Johnson was last night told he only cares about being prime minister after refusing to say whether he would resign if he fails to deliver Brexit on time.
The Tory leadership favourite was accused of not “being honest with people” by his rival Jeremy Hunt after dodging a range of questions in the only head-to-head TV showdown between the pair.
The leadership contest has been dominated by speculation over Johnson’s colourful personal life and controversy over his efforts to dodge public scrutiny.
In last night’s debate, the former London mayor repeatedly failed to give clear answers – including on what he would do if he broke his “do or die” promise to deliver Brexit by October 31.
Asked by Hunt if he would resign as PM in these circumstances, Johnson said: “I think it is very, very important not to envisage any circumstances in which we would fail to come out of the EU on October 31.
“I don’t want to hold out to the EU the prospect that they might encourage my resignation by refusing to agree a deal.”
But Hunt lambasted Johnson’s response, saying: “It is not ‘do or die’ is it? It’s just Boris Johnson in No10 that matters.”
In an evasive 60-minute performance Johnson also: ●Dodged a direct question on whether he would commit to keeping Sir Kim Darroch in post as ambassador to the US after his fall-out with Donald Trump over leaked memos. ●Failed to give a definitive answer on whether he would