Leaders clash over Brexit in TV debate

BORIS Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn clashed last night over their rival plans for Brexit in a series of heated exchanges in the first televised debate of the General Election.

The Labour leader dismissed the Prime Minister’s pledge to “get Brexit done” by the end of January as “nonsense” while Mr Johnson suggested his rival was “not fit to lead our country”.

He accused the Government of entering into secret talks with the US to open up the NHS to American pharmaceutical companies in a future trade deal.

But Mr Johnson hit back, denouncing the claims as “an absolute invention”, insisting there were “no circumstances whatsoever” in which a Conservative government would put the NHS “on the table” in trade talks.

He said the Labour leader was trying to disguise the “void” at the heart of his Brexit policy which meant he was unable to say which way he would vote in Labour’s planned second referendum.

He accused Mr Corbyn of being prepared to to strike a deal with Nicola Sturgeon to get the votes in needs to enter No 10 at the price of a second referendum on Scottish independence.

“Mr Corbyn, you’ve heard tonight, cannot answer the fundamental questions. Is he for Remain or Leave and what price would he pay to secure Nicola Sturgeon’s support to enter

Number 10?

“If he can’t answer those questions tonight, I don’t think he’s fit to lead our country.”

Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson were asked if the Duke of York is “fit for purpose” during the debate.

ITV’s Julie Etchingham quizzed the two prime ministerial hopefuls in light of questions over Andrew’s friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who took his own life in jail while facing sex trafficking charges.

Mr Corbyn and Mr Johnson were initially asked if the monarchy was fit for purpose.

Mr Corbyn replied: “Needs a bit of improvement.”

Mr Johnson said: “The institution of the monarchy is beyond reproach.”

Asked about the duke, Mr Corbyn said: “Before we discuss Prince Andrew I think we should discuss the victims that are there because of what Epstein was doing.

“I think there are very, very serious questions that must be answered and nobody should be above the law, but the primary position ought to be the proper treatment of those people who were victims of the most appalling behaviour by apparently Epstein and many others.”

Prime Minister Mr Johnson said “all our sympathies” should be with the victims of Epstein, adding: “The law must certainly take its course.”

Following the debate – hosted by ITV – a snap poll by YouGov of 1,646 viewers suggested a virtual tie with 51% saying they thought Mr Johnson had won as against 49% who thought Mr Corbyn came out on top.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson said after the debate that a Remain voice should have been heard in the discussions and it would have been better if she was involved.

“People at home would be forgiven for saying we deserve better than this. “Clearly both men believe in Brexit. “The voice of Remain was not there. “They are tired old parties.”