Boris and Gove throw down gauntlet: Debate with us face-to-face

BORIS JOHNSON and Michael Gove last night challenged David Cameron to a head-to-head EU debate after the Prime Minister accused them of telling “total untruths” during the Brexit campaign.

In a move designed to anger Downing Street, the leading Leave campaigners released a statement saying that the public deserve a face-to-face debate before the June 23 vote.

Earlier, Mr Cameron had used a hastily arranged press conference to accuse Mr Johnson and Mr Gove of making six “false” claims about the EU.

He said that he had become frustrated while watching the television news on Monday night, which featured a series of claims about the EU by the Justice Secretary and former London mayor.

Mr Cameron has refused to take part in any head-to-head debates on the referendum, insisting that he does not want the campaign to be about “blue on blue” battles between senior Conservatives.

Last night he took part in a second high-profile television event of the campaign, featuring on the same ITV programme as Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, but crucially not appearing with him on stage.

Calling a press conference on a rooftop in London yesterday with less than two hours’ notice, Mr Cameron said he had decided to speak out after seeing Eurosceptic claims on the news. He singled out for criticism claims that EU membership meant Britain cannot veto an EU army, block Brussels spending increases or protect its rebate.

Mr Cameron also rejected suggestions the UK could have to bail out eurozone countries or accept EU treaties against its will and said claims Brexit would save the country £8 billion were not correct.

“Credible experts warning about risks to our economic security on the one side, and a series of assertions that turn out to be completely untrue on the other,” he said.

“The Leave campaign is resorting to total untruths to con people into taking a leap in the dark. It is irresponsible. It is wrong. It is time that the Leave campaign was called out on the nonsense that they are peddling.”

Appearing to refer to Mr Gove’s dismissal of economic warnings last week, he said: “And what have we heard from those who want us to leave? Complacency and nonchalance. A casual wave of the hand.”

Downing St aides denied Mr Cameron had been “bounced” into making the intervention because of tightening polls, and dismissed suggestions he should sack ministers he was effectively accusing of lying to voters.

However, Eurosceptic MPs said the comments showed the pro-EU campaign was losing the argument, with Ukip MP Douglas Carswell claiming the Remain campaign was in a “blind panic”.

Mr Gove and Mr Johnson said in a statement: “We think that the public deserve the chance to hear these issues debated face-to-face between the Prime Minister and a spokesman for Vote Leave so they can judge for themselves which is the safer choice on June 23. The Prime Minister was absolutely right to hold this vote and allow ministers the chance to disagree with him. We hope that in the same spirit he will accept this invitation.”

Remain sources last night dismissed the Brexit campaign’s call for a debate, accusing Mr Johnson and Mr Gove of trying to “distract” voters from their “misleading” statements.