Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt vowed to spend billions of pounds on public services, infrastructure and tax cuts on Sunday as the two men battling to become prime minister pitched themselves as the best candidate to take on the opposition Labour Party.&nbsp;

The rivals to succeed Theresa May as leader of the ruling Conservative Party set out plans to win broader political backing by investing in education, transport and defence, even if that means higher government borrowing. The race should be over by July 23.&nbsp;

Johnson, the favourite, vowed to increase spending on education, adding to earlier pledges to invest in transport, superfast broadband, more police and tax cuts.&nbsp;

Foreign Secretary Hunt pledged to slash corporation tax, even in the event of a disorderly no-deal Brexit, to drive economic growth and generate the funds to invest more in social care, defence and education.&nbsp;

"Believe me there is cash now available," Johnson told Sky News. "(And) I`m prepared to borrow to finance certain great objectives but overall we will keep fiscal responsibility."

With Britain now due to leave the European Union on October&nbsp;31, much of the debate has revolved around how the two candidates would steer the world`s fifth-largest economy out of the world`s biggest trading bloc without crippling growth.&nbsp;

With the winner decided by Conservative Party members, who overwhelmingly back Brexit, Hunt has toughened his language, saying he would take a decision at the beginning of October to go for a disorderly no-deal exit if there was no prospect of getting an agreement through parliament.&nbsp;

The self-proclaimed entrepreneur said a cut to the corporate tax rate to 12.5%, matching the level in Ireland and one of the lowest in any major economy, would become even more important in the event of a no-deal because it would support companies through the upheaval. The rate is currently 19%.

"If we had a no-deal Brexit then some of these spending commitments would have to wait because you would have to divert money to support businesses up and down the country," Hunt told BBC TV. "I wouldn`t drop them but they would take longer.&nbsp;

"(But) of those commitments, the one I would not drop is the one to reduce corporation tax. It would fire up the economy in a way that would be helpful in a no-deal context."

With four months until Britain`s next deadline to leave the EU, the two men also sought to show they had advanced plans for how they would handle Britain`s departure.

Hunt said he had been in talks with the former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper, who negotiated a trade deal with the EU.

In other possible government moves, a source said Britain`s lead Brexit negotiator Olly Robbins was overdue a change of job while Mark Sedwill, the cabinet secretary, could become Britain`s ambassador in Washington under a Johnson government.&nbsp;

According to the Mail on Sunday, Johnson also has a transition team which is preparing to invite EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the bloc`s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to London to reopen talks once he is in power.&nbsp;

Asked by Sky News how he could seal a new deal when the EU has said it will not reopen the withdrawal agreement, Johnson said "it`s possibly the case that they would say that at this particular stage in the negotiations ... Let`s see".

Talking up his plans for the future, the former foreign secretary echoed Ronald Reagan in quoting the 14th-century scholar Ibn Khaldun`s belief that cutting taxes would spur economic growth and said businesses would be supported under his leadership.&nbsp;

The former London mayor has been heavily criticised for a reported dismissal last year of companies` concerns about Brexit with the comment "fuck business".

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt vowed to spend billions of pounds on public services, infrastructure and tax cuts on Sunday as the two men battling to become prime minister pitched themselves as the best candidate to take on the opposition Labour Party.

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt vowed to spend billions of pounds on public services, infrastructure and tax cuts on Sunday as the two men battling to become prime minister pitched themselves as the best candidate to take on the opposition Labour Party. The rivals to succeed Theresa May as leader of the ruling Conservative Party set out plans to win broader political backing by investing in education, transport and defence, even if that means higher government borrowing. The race should be over by July 23. Johnson, the favourite, vowed to increase spending on education, adding to earlier pledges to invest in transport, superfast broadband, more police and tax cuts. Foreign Secretary Hunt pledged to slash corporation tax, even in the event of a disorderly no-deal Brexit, to drive economic growth and generate the funds to invest more in social care, defence and education. "Believe me there is cash now available," Johnson told Sky News. "(And) I`m prepared to borrow to finance certain great objectives but overall we will keep fiscal responsibility." With Britain now due to leave the European Union on October 31, much of the debate has revolved around how the two candidates would steer the world`s fifth-largest economy out of the world`s biggest trading bloc without crippling growth. With the winner decided by Conservative Party members, who overwhelmingly back Brexit, Hunt has toughened his language, saying he would take a decision at the beginning of October to go for a disorderly no-deal exit if there was no prospect of getting an agreement through parliament. The self-proclaimed entrepreneur said a cut to the corporate tax rate to 12.5%, matching the level in Ireland and one of the lowest in any major economy, would become even more important in the event of a no-deal because it would support companies through the upheaval. The rate is currently 19%. "If we had a no-deal Brexit then some of these spending commitments would have to wait because you would have to divert money to support businesses up and down the country," Hunt told BBC TV. "I wouldn`t drop them but they would take longer. "(But) of those commitments, the one I would not drop is the one to reduce corporation tax. It would fire up the economy in a way that would be helpful in a no-deal context." With four months until Britain`s next deadline to leave the EU, the two men also sought to show they had advanced plans for how they would handle Britain`s departure. Hunt said he had been in talks with the former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper, who negotiated a trade deal with the EU. In other possible government moves, a source said Britain`s lead Brexit negotiator Olly Robbins was overdue a change of job while Mark Sedwill, the cabinet secretary, could become Britain`s ambassador in Washington under a Johnson government. According to the Mail on Sunday, Johnson also has a transition team which is preparing to invite EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the bloc`s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to London to reopen talks once he is in power. Asked by Sky News how he could seal a new deal when the EU has said it will not reopen the withdrawal agreement, Johnson said "it`s possibly the case that they would say that at this particular stage in the negotiations ... Let`s see". Talking up his plans for the future, the former foreign secretary echoed Ronald Reagan in quoting the 14th-century scholar Ibn Khaldun`s belief that cutting taxes would spur economic growth and said businesses would be supported under his leadership. The former London mayor has been heavily criticised for a reported dismissal last year of companies` concerns about Brexit with the comment "fuck business".

In race for No. 10, UK's Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt vow to splash the cash

Loose cannon or influential statesman - what kind of British prime minister would <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-says-he-is-serious-about-no-deal-brexit-threat-230167">Boris Johnson</a> make on the world stage? Judging by his time as foreign secretary, possibly both.

When Johnson was given the foreign job in 2016, after Britain voted to leave the EU, he was viewed as an unlikely choice by politicians and public alike given his tendency to court controversy with gaffes, oddball jokes and off-the-cuff remarks.

The early days seemed to confirm the worst fears of those who saw the Conservative lawmaker as an unsuitable diplomat, at a critical time when Britain needed to forge new political and commercial ties with a slew of countries.

What should have been a routine conference in Italy, the "Mediterranean Dialogues Forum" aimed at building relations with leading envoys from the West and Middle East, instead turned into something of a diplomatic incident.

Johnson made headlines by going off-script and accusing Saudi Arabia, an important regional ally, of acting as a puppeteer in proxy wars under the guise of religion.

The backlash was swift from Prime Minister Theresa May, who said his comments did not reflect "actual policy", dishing out what a government source described as a shocking and very public "cuffing" for a senior minister.

Now May is stepping down over her failure to extract Britain from the European Union. Johnson, a leader of the Brexit campaign, is the overwhelming favourite to become leader of the governing Conservative Party next month, which would also make him prime minister.

The 55-year-old, famous for his messy mop of blond hair and dishevelled style, has turned upper-class English eccentricity into a political asset in Britain and perfected a personal brand based on a comic talent and a seemingly shambolic style.

His critics say this robs him of statesman-like gravity, arguing that it's difficult to take seriously a man who once said the chance of him becoming prime minister was about as likely as finding Elvis on Mars.

However, two of Johnson's aides and another veteran Conservative who knows him said that he was often misunderstood and that beneath his blustering, self-confident demeanour was a shy, serious man focused on his goals.

He is a natural introvert, two sources close his team told Reuters, adding that his shyness is often construed as arrogance, and he needs a lot of time alone before speaking in public - distinctively at odds with the public perception of Johnson being a natural, unscripted showman.

"Before speaking to a room, he needs to corral himself," said the veteran Conservative. "It's not a performance but it saps him of energy. He just needs to summon up the energy."

One aide, a government source and an EU diplomat also pointed to an influential, but behind-the-scenes, role he played as foreign secretary following the poisoning of a former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, by a nerve agent last year in England.

One government source said Johnson had put his "shoulder to the wheel" to win international support for sanctions and Russian diplomatic expulsions from a long list of countries.

A senior European diplomat agreed that he was "professional" in this role, which attracted little publicity.

"People in Brussels didn't take Boris seriously back then," the diplomat said. "In March last year, he showed he could drop the clownish personality, he showed a will to discuss the Skripal affair in the most serious terms and to make the point to his counterparts that they needed to back Britain on this."

Irreverent insurgent

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, to give his full name, is something of an enigma at home and abroad.

He is man of apparent contradictions, with his privileged background and bursts of Latin phrases seemingly at odds with his popular appeal when elected mayor of left-leaning London in 2008 with the biggest personal mandate in British history.

He is one of those rare politicians to be most commonly referred to by most members of the public by their first names.

Like US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, he can emerge unscathed from gaffes and scandals that would sink any normal public figure. Other offensive remarks he has made include calling black people "piccaninnies" and saying Muslim women wearing burkas "look like letter boxes".

"Boris is a flawed character and flaky but most politicians are underneath," said Ed Costelloe, chair of the campaign group Conservative Grassroots. "It would be lovely to have Mother Theresa as prime minister, but it ain't going to happen."

In fact, some people love him all the more because he appears to be an irreverent insurgent who defies the media training of polished politics, shooting from the hip with comic timing and flair. Others seem to give him more leeway.

After his incendiary comments on Saudi Arabia, for example, two British officials said his words had not in fact gone down badly in Riyadh. "The Saudis appreciated his buffoonery, they understand his kind of humour," said one of the officials.

The biggest task ahead, should he become leader, would be withdrawal talks with the EU, which has said it will not reopen the Withdrawal Agreement agreed by May in November - a deal that was repeatedly rejected by British lawmakers and led to the original Brexit date of March 29 being pushed back.

Johnson has offended many in Europe, with remarks such as suggesting Italy should help with a Brexit deal to avoid losing out on sales of Prosecco sparkling wine and declaring it was "bollocks" to say that freedom of movement was a founding principle of the EU.

Yet the British government sources said his ability to wrestle changes to the deal from Brussels, as he has demanded, would come down to whether he can carry the support of British lawmakers and end a stalemate that has incensed EU officials.

"His success depends on whether the EU believes he can actually command a majority," said one of the sources. "The thing about the PM was that they just didn't believe she could ever get it through so were never going to give any more ground. If they think Boris can get it through, they might shift."

It's all about Brexit

Johnson has cast himself as the only leadership candidate who can deliver Brexit on the next deadline of Oct. 31 - with or without a deal.

The sources close his team said he was approaching his bid in a similarly quiet way to the Skripal manoeuvring. He has built support through behind-the-scenes talks with lawmakers rather through media appearances and speeches - and had been conspicuously absent from public sight until this week.

He has been listening closely to the counsel of his closest aides and veteran election strategist Lynton Crosby, who is not officially on the payroll but is offering advice.

Johnson's strategy of steering clear of the airwaves and avoiding public head-to-head debates has been carefully thought through as part of a leadership campaign in the works for months in anticipation of May's announcement five weeks ago that she would step down, said the sources.

The plan appeared uncharacteristic for a man who made his name by being highly visible, including appearing in comedy shows and one of Britain's best-loved TV soap operas.

He even drew accusations from his only remaining leadership rival, Jeremy Hunt, of being a coward for avoiding head-to-head debates. Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd said she found Johnson's decision to ignore live TV debates "very odd".

The strategy was partly borne of the fact that Johnson is widely viewed as a near-certainty to win the party leadership, and become prime minister, barring an unforeseen catastrophe.

Foreign Secretary Hunt voted to stay in the European Union in 2016, which is likely to count against him among the around 160,000 party members who will choose the winner and are mainly pro-Brexit.

However, Johnson was forced to veer from the gameplan and break cover this week when he was faced with exactly the kind of negative publicity his team had hoped to avoid, after a neighbour called the police upon hearing Johnson and his girlfriend shouting and smashing plates.

Police found no cause for action, but the story dominated the front pages of Britain's newspapers, with some questioning Johnson's character and past - he is divorcing his second wife and has had several reported affairs.

Following the furore, he changed gear and launched into a media blitz on TV and radio.

Nonetheless, few in his party believe anything can seriously impede his cruise to 10 Downing Street.

"Boris is still well ahead with the membership who will ultimately decide who the next prime minister is," said Conservative lawmaker and Johnson supporter Andrew Bridgen.

"The overriding issue is Brexit and unfortunately Jeremy voted remain." 
&nbsp;

Loose cannon or influential statesman - what kind of British prime minister would Boris Johnson make on the world stage? Judging by his time as foreign secretary, possibly both.

Loose cannon or influential statesman - what kind of British prime minister would Boris Johnson make on the world stage? Judging by his time as foreign secretary, possibly both. When Johnson was given the foreign job in 2016, after Britain voted to leave the EU, he was viewed as an unlikely choice by politicians and public alike given his tendency to court controversy with gaffes, oddball jokes and off-the-cuff remarks. The early days seemed to confirm the worst fears of those who saw the Conservative lawmaker as an unsuitable diplomat, at a critical time when Britain needed to forge new political and commercial ties with a slew of countries. What should have been a routine conference in Italy, the "Mediterranean Dialogues Forum" aimed at building relations with leading envoys from the West and Middle East, instead turned into something of a diplomatic incident. Johnson made headlines by going off-script and accusing Saudi Arabia, an important regional ally, of acting as a puppeteer in proxy wars under the guise of religion. The backlash was swift from Prime Minister Theresa May, who said his comments did not reflect "actual policy", dishing out what a government source described as a shocking and very public "cuffing" for a senior minister. Now May is stepping down over her failure to extract Britain from the European Union. Johnson, a leader of the Brexit campaign, is the overwhelming favourite to become leader of the governing Conservative Party next month, which would also make him prime minister. The 55-year-old, famous for his messy mop of blond hair and dishevelled style, has turned upper-class English eccentricity into a political asset in Britain and perfected a personal brand based on a comic talent and a seemingly shambolic style. His critics say this robs him of statesman-like gravity, arguing that it's difficult to take seriously a man who once said the chance of him becoming prime minister was about as likely as finding Elvis on Mars. However, two of Johnson's aides and another veteran Conservative who knows him said that he was often misunderstood and that beneath his blustering, self-confident demeanour was a shy, serious man focused on his goals. He is a natural introvert, two sources close his team told Reuters, adding that his shyness is often construed as arrogance, and he needs a lot of time alone before speaking in public - distinctively at odds with the public perception of Johnson being a natural, unscripted showman. "Before speaking to a room, he needs to corral himself," said the veteran Conservative. "It's not a performance but it saps him of energy. He just needs to summon up the energy." One aide, a government source and an EU diplomat also pointed to an influential, but behind-the-scenes, role he played as foreign secretary following the poisoning of a former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, by a nerve agent last year in England. One government source said Johnson had put his "shoulder to the wheel" to win international support for sanctions and Russian diplomatic expulsions from a long list of countries. A senior European diplomat agreed that he was "professional" in this role, which attracted little publicity. "People in Brussels didn't take Boris seriously back then," the diplomat said. "In March last year, he showed he could drop the clownish personality, he showed a will to discuss the Skripal affair in the most serious terms and to make the point to his counterparts that they needed to back Britain on this." Irreverent insurgent Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, to give his full name, is something of an enigma at home and abroad. He is man of apparent contradictions, with his privileged background and bursts of Latin phrases seemingly at odds with his popular appeal when elected mayor of left-leaning London in 2008 with the biggest personal mandate in British history. He is one of those rare politicians to be most commonly referred to by most members of the public by their first names. Like US President Donald Trump, he can emerge unscathed from gaffes and scandals that would sink any normal public figure. Other offensive remarks he has made include calling black people "piccaninnies" and saying Muslim women wearing burkas "look like letter boxes". "Boris is a flawed character and flaky but most politicians are underneath," said Ed Costelloe, chair of the campaign group Conservative Grassroots. "It would be lovely to have Mother Theresa as prime minister, but it ain't going to happen." In fact, some people love him all the more because he appears to be an irreverent insurgent who defies the media training of polished politics, shooting from the hip with comic timing and flair. Others seem to give him more leeway. After his incendiary comments on Saudi Arabia, for example, two British officials said his words had not in fact gone down badly in Riyadh. "The Saudis appreciated his buffoonery, they understand his kind of humour," said one of the officials. The biggest task ahead, should he become leader, would be withdrawal talks with the EU, which has said it will not reopen the Withdrawal Agreement agreed by May in November - a deal that was repeatedly rejected by British lawmakers and led to the original Brexit date of March 29 being pushed back. Johnson has offended many in Europe, with remarks such as suggesting Italy should help with a Brexit deal to avoid losing out on sales of Prosecco sparkling wine and declaring it was "bollocks" to say that freedom of movement was a founding principle of the EU. Yet the British government sources said his ability to wrestle changes to the deal from Brussels, as he has demanded, would come down to whether he can carry the support of British lawmakers and end a stalemate that has incensed EU officials. "His success depends on whether the EU believes he can actually command a majority," said one of the sources. "The thing about the PM was that they just didn't believe she could ever get it through so were never going to give any more ground. If they think Boris can get it through, they might shift." It's all about Brexit Johnson has cast himself as the only leadership candidate who can deliver Brexit on the next deadline of Oct. 31 - with or without a deal. The sources close his team said he was approaching his bid in a similarly quiet way to the Skripal manoeuvring. He has built support through behind-the-scenes talks with lawmakers rather through media appearances and speeches - and had been conspicuously absent from public sight until this week. He has been listening closely to the counsel of his closest aides and veteran election strategist Lynton Crosby, who is not officially on the payroll but is offering advice. Johnson's strategy of steering clear of the airwaves and avoiding public head-to-head debates has been carefully thought through as part of a leadership campaign in the works for months in anticipation of May's announcement five weeks ago that she would step down, said the sources. The plan appeared uncharacteristic for a man who made his name by being highly visible, including appearing in comedy shows and one of Britain's best-loved TV soap operas. He even drew accusations from his only remaining leadership rival, Jeremy Hunt, of being a coward for avoiding head-to-head debates. Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd said she found Johnson's decision to ignore live TV debates "very odd". The strategy was partly borne of the fact that Johnson is widely viewed as a near-certainty to win the party leadership, and become prime minister, barring an unforeseen catastrophe. Foreign Secretary Hunt voted to stay in the European Union in 2016, which is likely to count against him among the around 160,000 party members who will choose the winner and are mainly pro-Brexit. However, Johnson was forced to veer from the gameplan and break cover this week when he was faced with exactly the kind of negative publicity his team had hoped to avoid, after a neighbour called the police upon hearing Johnson and his girlfriend shouting and smashing plates. Police found no cause for action, but the story dominated the front pages of Britain's newspapers, with some questioning Johnson's character and past - he is divorcing his second wife and has had several reported affairs. Following the furore, he changed gear and launched into a media blitz on TV and radio. Nonetheless, few in his party believe anything can seriously impede his cruise to 10 Downing Street. "Boris is still well ahead with the membership who will ultimately decide who the next prime minister is," said Conservative lawmaker and Johnson supporter Andrew Bridgen. "The overriding issue is Brexit and unfortunately Jeremy voted remain."

Genius or joker? British prime minister favourite Boris Johnson set to face the world

Seeking to regain momentum in his bid to become the next prime minister of Britain, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-boris-johnson-under-pressure-to-explain-domestic-row-229723">Boris Johnson</a> said on Monday he was seriously prepared to take the country out of the European Union in October even if a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-promotes-hard-brexit-must-clarify-his-position-on-europe-macron-230076">deal with the bloc had not been reached</a>.

The former London mayor is still the frontrunner in the race to succeed Theresa May but his lead had been dented by reports of a heated late-night row with his girlfriend that led to the police being called to their home.

His rival, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, on Monday, described Johnson as a "coward" for avoiding public head-to-head debates with him.

Johnson declined to comment on the argument in an interview with BBC News. He instead doubled down on his promise to deliver Brexit in October without a deal if necessary - a prospect that has sent sterling down sharply against other currencies.

"My pledge is to come out of the EU at Halloween on 31 October," Johnson said.

"And the way to get our friends and partners to understand how serious we are is finally, I'm afraid, to abandon the defeatism and negativity that has enfolded us in a great cloud for so long and to prepare confidently and seriously for... a no-deal outcome."

Johnson said he did not want a no-deal Brexit, but that it was necessary to put it on the table so that Britain could get the result it wanted.

He again raised doubts over the payment of a previously-agreed 39 billion pound ($49 billion) divorce deal with the EU, something likely to antagonise negotiators in Brussels.

Watch: Boris Johnson's 'girlfriend trouble'

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"I think there should be creative ambiguity about when and how that gets paid over," Johnson said.

On resolving an impasse around the Irish border, Johnson said he thought changing or abandoning the backstop - a guarantee to ensure no return of extensive border checks between EU-member Ireland and British-run Northern Ireland - could be a way forward.

"Let me tell you, there are abundant, abundant technical fixes that can be introduced to make sure that you don't have to have checks at the border," Johnson said.

Trade experts have expressed scepticism that technology can solve the border problem, at least in the near term.

Last week, Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said the contenders to become Britain's prime minister had offered solutions "simply not based on reality".

Seeking to regain momentum in his bid to become the next prime minister of Britain, Boris Johnson said on Monday he was seriously prepared to take the country out of the European Union in October even if a deal with the bloc had not been reached.

Seeking to regain momentum in his bid to become the next prime minister of Britain, Boris Johnson said on Monday he was seriously prepared to take the country out of the European Union in October even if a deal with the bloc had not been reached. The former London mayor is still the frontrunner in the race to succeed Theresa May but his lead had been dented by reports of a heated late-night row with his girlfriend that led to the police being called to their home. His rival, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, on Monday, described Johnson as a "coward" for avoiding public head-to-head debates with him. Johnson declined to comment on the argument in an interview with BBC News. He instead doubled down on his promise to deliver Brexit in October without a deal if necessary - a prospect that has sent sterling down sharply against other currencies. "My pledge is to come out of the EU at Halloween on 31 October," Johnson said. "And the way to get our friends and partners to understand how serious we are is finally, I'm afraid, to abandon the defeatism and negativity that has enfolded us in a great cloud for so long and to prepare confidently and seriously for... a no-deal outcome." Johnson said he did not want a no-deal Brexit, but that it was necessary to put it on the table so that Britain could get the result it wanted. He again raised doubts over the payment of a previously-agreed 39 billion pound ($49 billion) divorce deal with the EU, something likely to antagonise negotiators in Brussels. Watch: Boris Johnson's 'girlfriend trouble' × "I think there should be creative ambiguity about when and how that gets paid over," Johnson said. On resolving an impasse around the Irish border, Johnson said he thought changing or abandoning the backstop - a guarantee to ensure no return of extensive border checks between EU-member Ireland and British-run Northern Ireland - could be a way forward. "Let me tell you, there are abundant, abundant technical fixes that can be introduced to make sure that you don't have to have checks at the border," Johnson said. Trade experts have expressed scepticism that technology can solve the border problem, at least in the near term. Last week, Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said the contenders to become Britain's prime minister had offered solutions "simply not based on reality".

Boris Johnson says he is serious about 'no-deal' Brexit threat

Not Suitable For The Top Job In United Kingdom: A Report On Boris Johnson's 'Girlfriend Trouble' Boris Johnson may be the frontrunner to take over as Prime Minister of United Kingdom from Theresa May. But he continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons. The latest one involves screaming and shouting, and even some broken plates. A late-night altercation between Johnson & his girlfriend threatens to hurt his political career. Here's Palki summing up the development

Gravitas: Boris Johnson's 'girlfriend trouble'

The winner of the contest to replace Theresa May as leader of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/europe/british-pm-race-top-horse-boris-johnson-faces-court-hearing-for-brexit-lies-222520">Britain's ruling Conservatives</a> and prime minister will be announced on July 23, the ruling party said Tuesday.

Former foreign minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prime-minister-candidate-boris-johnson-would-be-bizarre-for-european-union-to-impose-post-brexit-tariffs-on-united-kingdom-230293"> Boris Johnson is the favourite</a> in the race, battling Britain's current top diplomat, Jeremy Hunt.

The two candidates were chosen from a field of 10 by the Conservative party's 313 MPs, and are now seeking to woo an estimated 160,000 party members who will make the final choice.

Postal ballots will be sent out between July 6 and 8, and the deadline for returning them has been set at 5:00pm on July 22.

"The announcement of the next leader of the Conservative party will be made on Tuesday, July 23. This process has been agreed with both candidates," the statement said.

Once a successor is confirmed, May would be expected to visit Queen Elizabeth II to formally tender her resignation as premier.

Her replacement would then make his own visit to Buckingham Palace to be confirmed in office.

The Conservatives do not have a majority in parliament's lower House of Commons, but govern through an alliance with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

May announced her resignation last month after failing to get her Brexit deal through parliament, faced with opposition from both Conservative MPs and the DUP.

It is possible that the main opposition Labour party calls an immediate vote of confidence in the new prime minister, to force them to prove they have the support to govern.

This would have to happen by July 25 when parliament breaks for its summer holiday, or wait until MPs return on September 3.

The winner of the contest to replace Theresa May as leader of Britain's ruling Conservatives and prime minister will be announced on July 23, the ruling party said Tuesday.

The winner of the contest to replace Theresa May as leader of Britain's ruling Conservatives and prime minister will be announced on July 23, the ruling party said Tuesday. Former foreign minister Boris Johnson is the favourite in the race, battling Britain's current top diplomat, Jeremy Hunt. The two candidates were chosen from a field of 10 by the Conservative party's 313 MPs, and are now seeking to woo an estimated 160,000 party members who will make the final choice. Postal ballots will be sent out between July 6 and 8, and the deadline for returning them has been set at 5:00pm on July 22. "The announcement of the next leader of the Conservative party will be made on Tuesday, July 23. This process has been agreed with both candidates," the statement said. Once a successor is confirmed, May would be expected to visit Queen Elizabeth II to formally tender her resignation as premier. Her replacement would then make his own visit to Buckingham Palace to be confirmed in office. The Conservatives do not have a majority in parliament's lower House of Commons, but govern through an alliance with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). May announced her resignation last month after failing to get her Brexit deal through parliament, faced with opposition from both Conservative MPs and the DUP. It is possible that the main opposition Labour party calls an immediate vote of confidence in the new prime minister, to force them to prove they have the support to govern. This would have to happen by July 25 when parliament breaks for its summer holiday, or wait until MPs return on September 3.

Next British PM to be announced on July 23: Conservative Party

It would be bizarre for the European Union to impose tariffs on British goods flowing into the bloc after Brexit rather than agree on a standstill agreement on trade, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/europe/british-pm-race-top-horse-boris-johnson-faces-court-hearing-for-brexit-lies-222520">Boris Johnson</a>, the leading candidate to be Britain's next prime minister said.

"I think it would be very bizarre if the EU should decide on their own ... if they decided to impose tariffs on goods coming from the UK it would be ... a return to Napoleon's continental system," Johnson told LBC radio on Tuesday.

Boris Johnson, the favourite to become British prime minister, said he will seek a new Brexit deal with the European Union but if the bloc refuses his demands then he will lead the world's fifth largest economy out without agreement on Oct. 31.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-says-he-is-serious-about-no-deal-brexit-threat-230167">United Kingdom's three-year Brexit crisis</a> could be about to deepen as Johnson's pledge to leave the EU with or without a deal on Halloween could provoke a standoff with the British parliament which has indicated its opposition to a no-deal exit.

No-deal means there would be no transition period so the exit would be abrupt, the nightmare scenario for many business leaders and the dream of hard Brexiteers who want a decisive split.

Seeking to turn the public discourse away from a discussion about an argument with his girlfriend, Johnson told the BBC he would pick the bits of Theresa May's "dead" Withdrawal Agreement that he likes and seek a new deal with the EU.

It would be bizarre for the European Union to impose tariffs on British goods flowing into the bloc after Brexit rather than agree on a standstill agreement on trade, Boris Johnson, the leading candidate to be Britain's next prime minister said.

It would be bizarre for the European Union to impose tariffs on British goods flowing into the bloc after Brexit rather than agree on a standstill agreement on trade, Boris Johnson, the leading candidate to be Britain's next prime minister said. "I think it would be very bizarre if the EU should decide on their own ... if they decided to impose tariffs on goods coming from the UK it would be ... a return to Napoleon's continental system," Johnson told LBC radio on Tuesday. Boris Johnson, the favourite to become British prime minister, said he will seek a new Brexit deal with the European Union but if the bloc refuses his demands then he will lead the world's fifth largest economy out without agreement on Oct. 31. The United Kingdom's three-year Brexit crisis could be about to deepen as Johnson's pledge to leave the EU with or without a deal on Halloween could provoke a standoff with the British parliament which has indicated its opposition to a no-deal exit. No-deal means there would be no transition period so the exit would be abrupt, the nightmare scenario for many business leaders and the dream of hard Brexiteers who want a decisive split. Seeking to turn the public discourse away from a discussion about an argument with his girlfriend, Johnson told the BBC he would pick the bits of Theresa May's "dead" Withdrawal Agreement that he likes and seek a new deal with the EU.

Would be bizarre for EU to impose post-Brexit tariffs on UK: Boris Johnson

Conservative candidate Jeremy Hunt,52, who is running for the prime minister's post against<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-boris-johnson-under-pressure-to-explain-domestic-row-229723"> fellow partyman Boris Johnson</a> said today that he would accept a "no deal" Brexit with a heavy heart as it would impact jobs, businesses and will be a risk to unions.

During an interview with a British television channel, Hunt who finished second in the Conservative party ballot for prime ministership, ahead of his much hyped final clash with Johonson next month, said: "I would say I've been very clear I would leave the European Union if no deal was on the table and there was no prospect of a better deal that could get through Parliament. I would do it with a heavy heart because of the impact on jobs, on businesses, the risks to the union."

Boris Johnson who led the ballot last week had clearly said he would leave the European Union without a deal on October 31 if no deal was struck by then.

"In the end, we must do what the country voted for because we are a very old very respected democracy," Hunt told the television channel.

With just two weeks to go before Conservative party workers decide on the candidate, Hunt added that he would continue to "negotiate" until Britain exits the European Union. "Boris needs to answer what he would do in that situation," he retorted.

Hunt had earlier called Johnson a "coward" over his refusal to go for a head-to-head to debate on Brexit. The UK foreign secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-race-boris-johnson-jeremy-hunt-to-contest-conservative-leadership-michael-gove-eliminated-in-final-ballot-229043">had garnered 77 votes</a> in the final ballot last week to finish behind Boris Johnson who won an overwhelming 160 votes. Hunt edged out Michael Gove who won 75 votes.

Hunt was quick to point out during the interview&nbsp;that if the Brexit moves&nbsp;were not&nbsp;carried out&nbsp;properly then Britain could "trip into a general election, Jeremy Corbyn will become prime minister and then we'll have no Brexit at all."

Hunt favoured sending someone from Britain who "doesn't blink", while adding that the person should be "someone who is able to negotiate, someone that they(EU) trust."

Conservative candidate Jeremy Hunt,52, who is running for the prime minister's post against fellow partyman Boris Johnson said today that he would accept a "no deal" Brexit with a heavy heart as it would impact jobs, businesses and will be a risk to unions.

Conservative candidate Jeremy Hunt,52, who is running for the prime minister's post against fellow partyman Boris Johnson said today that he would accept a "no deal" Brexit with a heavy heart as it would impact jobs, businesses and will be a risk to unions. During an interview with a British television channel, Hunt who finished second in the Conservative party ballot for prime ministership, ahead of his much hyped final clash with Johonson next month, said: "I would say I've been very clear I would leave the European Union if no deal was on the table and there was no prospect of a better deal that could get through Parliament. I would do it with a heavy heart because of the impact on jobs, on businesses, the risks to the union." Boris Johnson who led the ballot last week had clearly said he would leave the European Union without a deal on October 31 if no deal was struck by then. "In the end, we must do what the country voted for because we are a very old very respected democracy," Hunt told the television channel. With just two weeks to go before Conservative party workers decide on the candidate, Hunt added that he would continue to "negotiate" until Britain exits the European Union. "Boris needs to answer what he would do in that situation," he retorted. Hunt had earlier called Johnson a "coward" over his refusal to go for a head-to-head to debate on Brexit. The UK foreign secretary had garnered 77 votes in the final ballot last week to finish behind Boris Johnson who won an overwhelming 160 votes. Hunt edged out Michael Gove who won 75 votes. Hunt was quick to point out during the interview that if the Brexit moves were not carried out properly then Britain could "trip into a general election, Jeremy Corbyn will become prime minister and then we'll have no Brexit at all." Hunt favoured sending someone from Britain who "doesn't blink", while adding that the person should be "someone who is able to negotiate, someone that they(EU) trust."

In 'no deal' Brexit, I would leave EU with a heavy heart: Jeremy Hunt

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-race-boris-johnson-jeremy-hunt-to-contest-conservative-leadership-michael-gove-eliminated-in-final-ballot-229043">Jeremy Hunt</a>, one of the two people vying to replace <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-step-down-before-next-phase-of-brexit-negotiations-pm-theresa-may-to-mps-206112">British Prime Minister Theresa May</a>, said on Monday that rival <a href="https://www.wionews.com/europe/british-pm-race-top-horse-boris-johnson-faces-court-hearing-for-brexit-lies-222520">Boris Johnson</a> was a coward for avoiding public head-to-head debates on Brexit.

"On the question of debates, he is being a coward," Foreign Secretary Hunt said. "It is cowardice not to appear in head-to-head debates."

Hunt, 52, said it was disrespectful for Johnson to have turned down the opportunity for a televised head-to-head debate on Sky television.&nbsp;

"People need to know what you`re going to do and you need to answer those questions," Hunt said. "I promise Boris Johnson the fight of his life and he`s going to have that and he`s going to lose."

Early on Friday, police were called to Johnson`s home after neighbours heard a loud altercation between him and his girlfriend. Johnson has refused to explain the incident. Police said there was no cause for police action.

Hunt said the personal life of Johnson was irrelevant but that the candidates should explain their Brexit positions - and specifically, what would a new leader do if lawmakers tried to sink a new government heading towards a no-deal Brexit.

When asked the naughtiest thing he had ever done, Hunt said: "When I was backpacking through India, I once had a Bhang Lassi which is a kind of cannabis lassi - that`s the naughtiest thing I am prepared to confess to on this programme."

Jeremy Hunt, one of the two people vying to replace British Prime Minister Theresa May, said on Monday that rival Boris Johnson was a coward for avoiding public head-to-head debates on Brexit.

Jeremy Hunt, one of the two people vying to replace British Prime Minister Theresa May, said on Monday that rival Boris Johnson was a coward for avoiding public head-to-head debates on Brexit. "On the question of debates, he is being a coward," Foreign Secretary Hunt said. "It is cowardice not to appear in head-to-head debates." Hunt, 52, said it was disrespectful for Johnson to have turned down the opportunity for a televised head-to-head debate on Sky television. "People need to know what you`re going to do and you need to answer those questions," Hunt said. "I promise Boris Johnson the fight of his life and he`s going to have that and he`s going to lose." Early on Friday, police were called to Johnson`s home after neighbours heard a loud altercation between him and his girlfriend. Johnson has refused to explain the incident. Police said there was no cause for police action. Hunt said the personal life of Johnson was irrelevant but that the candidates should explain their Brexit positions - and specifically, what would a new leader do if lawmakers tried to sink a new government heading towards a no-deal Brexit. When asked the naughtiest thing he had ever done, Hunt said: "When I was backpacking through India, I once had a Bhang Lassi which is a kind of cannabis lassi - that`s the naughtiest thing I am prepared to confess to on this programme."

United Kingdom's Prime Minister candidate Hunt: 'Boris Johnson is a coward for avoiding debate'

Boris Johnson is under pressure to explain an incident with police at his London home. Watch this video to know more.

Boris Johnson under pressure to explain alleged domestic row

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - June 23rd, 2019

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-army-is-ready-to-go-dont-mistake-our-discretion-for-weakness-us-national-security-advisor-john-bolton-tells-iran-229716">US army is ready to go, don't mistake our discretion for weakness: US National Security Advisor John Bolton tells Iran</a>

US National Security Advisor John Bolton warned Tehran on Sunday of misinterpreting as "weakness" President Donald Trump's&nbsp;last-minute cancellation&nbsp;of a retaliatory&nbsp;strike on Iran.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajasthan-at-least-14-dead-and-over-50-injured-as-tent-collapses-in-barmer-229742">Rajasthan: At least 14 dead and over 50 injured as tent collapses in Barmer</a>

At least 14 people reportedly died and over 50 injured in Barmer district of Rajasthan after a 'pandal' (marquee) collapsed due to heavy rain and storm during a religious gathering on Sunday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/post-balakot-indian-navy-hunted-for-pakistani-submarine-for-21-days-229710">Post-Balakot, Indian Navy hunted for Pakistani submarine for 21 days</a>

Soon&nbsp;after the Pulwama terror attack, India pulled out its&nbsp;Navy&nbsp;from an exercise and deployed a major part of its fleet, including nuclear and conventional submarines, close to Pakistani territorial waters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/day-after-fatf-warning-pak-army-chief-claims-country-doing-best-to-wipe-out-terrorism-229711">Day after FATF warning, Pakistan Army Chief claims 'country doing best to wipe out terrorism'</a>

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has claimed that the&nbsp;country is doing its best&nbsp;and utilising all available sources to eliminate terrorism from its soil, adding that Islamabad has been moving towards attaining sustainable peace and stability.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/day-after-fatf-warning-pak-army-chief-claims-country-doing-best-to-wipe-out-terrorism-229711">UK's Boris Johnson under pressure to explain domestic 'row'</a>

Boris Johnson, the strong favourite to become Britain's next prime minister, came under pressure from figures in his own party on Sunday to explain reports of a&nbsp;domestic 'row' that led to a police visit. 
&nbsp;

US army is ready to go, don't mistake our discretion for weakness: US National Security Advisor John Bolton tells Iran US National Security Advisor John Bolton warned Tehran on Sunday of misinterpreting as "weakness" President Donald Trump's last-minute cancellation of a retaliatory strike on Iran.

US army is ready to go, don't mistake our discretion for weakness: US National Security Advisor John Bolton tells Iran US National Security Advisor John Bolton warned Tehran on Sunday of misinterpreting as "weakness" President Donald Trump's last-minute cancellation of a retaliatory strike on Iran. Rajasthan: At least 14 dead and over 50 injured as tent collapses in Barmer At least 14 people reportedly died and over 50 injured in Barmer district of Rajasthan after a 'pandal' (marquee) collapsed due to heavy rain and storm during a religious gathering on Sunday. Post-Balakot, Indian Navy hunted for Pakistani submarine for 21 days Soon after the Pulwama terror attack, India pulled out its Navy from an exercise and deployed a major part of its fleet, including nuclear and conventional submarines, close to Pakistani territorial waters. Day after FATF warning, Pakistan Army Chief claims 'country doing best to wipe out terrorism' Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has claimed that the country is doing its best and utilising all available sources to eliminate terrorism from its soil, adding that Islamabad has been moving towards attaining sustainable peace and stability. UK's Boris Johnson under pressure to explain domestic 'row' Boris Johnson, the strong favourite to become Britain's next prime minister, came under pressure from figures in his own party on Sunday to explain reports of a domestic 'row' that led to a police visit.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Boris Johnson, the strong favourite to become Britain's next prime minister, came under pressure from figures in his own party on Sunday to explain reports of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-called-to-pm-hopeful-boris-johnsons-home-after-row-uk-media-229409">domestic 'row' that led to a police visit</a>.

Although still heavily backed to beat Jeremy Hunt to become Conservative Party leader, and therefore prime minister, a snap poll published in the Mail on Sunday suggested that the incident had cut his support.

The Guardian reported that police were alerted early on Friday after a neighbour heard a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-candidate-boris-johnson-avoids-questions-about-police-visit-229629"> loud altercation involving screams, shouts and bangs </a>at the south London property, shortly after Johnson had secured his place in the final run-off to become prime minister.

The paper said Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds could be heard telling the former London mayor to "get off me" and "get out of my flat".

The former foreign secretary refused to answer questions about the incident on the first day of the month-long contest to win over Conservative grassroot members, saying "I don't think people want to hear about that kind of thing."

He instead tried to focus on his policies, saying "we need to get Brexit done" and promising to prepare Britain for a no deal exit from the EU, if a deal cannot be reached.&nbsp;

- 'Lack of discipline' - 
Tory grandee Malcolm Rifkind criticised the response, saying "the fact is there was a police visit. You don't just say 'no comment'.

"That implies you may have something you don't want to disclose," he told BBC Radio 5.

Former Tory foreign office minister Alan Duncan told the Guardian his former boss now had a "big question mark over his head", adding Johnson had shown a "lack of discipline" throughout his career.

Among all voters, Hunt is now the preferred candidate to become prime minister, according to the Survation poll in the Mail on Sunday, as Johnson saw a seven percent decline in support.

He also saw his lead over Hunt with Tory voters slashed from 27 percent to nine percent since Friday.

But it is the party's 160,000 members who will have the final say, and their support appeared undimmed during the first day of "hustings" -- internal party debates to decide the new leader -- in Birmingham, central England, on Saturday.

The crowd gave Johnson a standing ovation, and loudly heckled interviewer Iain Dale as he quizzed the former London mayor over Friday's domestic incident.

- Bannon claims - 
"Stuff happens at home all the time... someone spills the wine, we can't really be making headlines out of that," supporter Hasnain Ahmed, 23, told AFP.&nbsp;

"What's important is what's this guy going to be delivering for you in Brexit."

With Sunday marking the three-year anniversary of the vote to leave the EU, the issue still dominates British politics.

Hunt also received a warm reception, promising that if he couldn't strike a Brexit deal with the EU, "then I will leave without a deal".

"I was probably leaning towards Boris but I was very impressed with what Jeremy Hunt said today," Tory councillor Karen Shakespeare, told AFP.

"He surprised me with his directness and honesty so I have to say I am now leaning very heavily towards Jeremy Hunt."

Johnson also came under scrutiny on Sunday for his relationship with Steve Bannon, the controversial former adviser to US President Donald Trump.

Footage published by the Observer showed Bannon claiming that he had helped craft Johnson's resignation speech as foreign minister last year.

The pair got to know each other professionally when both were in office, and were reported to have met again in an unofficial capacity last summer.

Johnson said at the time that "the so-called relationship" with Bannon was a "lefty delusion" and his office dismissed the latest claims of a working relationship as "totally preposterous to the point of a conspiracy".

Boris Johnson, the strong favourite to become Britain's next prime minister, came under pressure from figures in his own party on Sunday to explain reports of a domestic 'row' that led to a police visit.

Boris Johnson, the strong favourite to become Britain's next prime minister, came under pressure from figures in his own party on Sunday to explain reports of a domestic 'row' that led to a police visit. Although still heavily backed to beat Jeremy Hunt to become Conservative Party leader, and therefore prime minister, a snap poll published in the Mail on Sunday suggested that the incident had cut his support. The Guardian reported that police were alerted early on Friday after a neighbour heard a loud altercation involving screams, shouts and bangs at the south London property, shortly after Johnson had secured his place in the final run-off to become prime minister. The paper said Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds could be heard telling the former London mayor to "get off me" and "get out of my flat". The former foreign secretary refused to answer questions about the incident on the first day of the month-long contest to win over Conservative grassroot members, saying "I don't think people want to hear about that kind of thing." He instead tried to focus on his policies, saying "we need to get Brexit done" and promising to prepare Britain for a no deal exit from the EU, if a deal cannot be reached. - 'Lack of discipline' - Tory grandee Malcolm Rifkind criticised the response, saying "the fact is there was a police visit. You don't just say 'no comment'. "That implies you may have something you don't want to disclose," he told BBC Radio 5. Former Tory foreign office minister Alan Duncan told the Guardian his former boss now had a "big question mark over his head", adding Johnson had shown a "lack of discipline" throughout his career. Among all voters, Hunt is now the preferred candidate to become prime minister, according to the Survation poll in the Mail on Sunday, as Johnson saw a seven percent decline in support. He also saw his lead over Hunt with Tory voters slashed from 27 percent to nine percent since Friday. But it is the party's 160,000 members who will have the final say, and their support appeared undimmed during the first day of "hustings" -- internal party debates to decide the new leader -- in Birmingham, central England, on Saturday. The crowd gave Johnson a standing ovation, and loudly heckled interviewer Iain Dale as he quizzed the former London mayor over Friday's domestic incident. - Bannon claims - "Stuff happens at home all the time... someone spills the wine, we can't really be making headlines out of that," supporter Hasnain Ahmed, 23, told AFP. "What's important is what's this guy going to be delivering for you in Brexit." With Sunday marking the three-year anniversary of the vote to leave the EU, the issue still dominates British politics. Hunt also received a warm reception, promising that if he couldn't strike a Brexit deal with the EU, "then I will leave without a deal". "I was probably leaning towards Boris but I was very impressed with what Jeremy Hunt said today," Tory councillor Karen Shakespeare, told AFP. "He surprised me with his directness and honesty so I have to say I am now leaning very heavily towards Jeremy Hunt." Johnson also came under scrutiny on Sunday for his relationship with Steve Bannon, the controversial former adviser to US President Donald Trump. Footage published by the Observer showed Bannon claiming that he had helped craft Johnson's resignation speech as foreign minister last year. The pair got to know each other professionally when both were in office, and were reported to have met again in an unofficial capacity last summer. Johnson said at the time that "the so-called relationship" with Bannon was a "lefty delusion" and his office dismissed the latest claims of a working relationship as "totally preposterous to the point of a conspiracy".

UK's Boris Johnson under pressure to explain domestic 'row'

Boris Johnson, the favourite to be the next British Prime Minister, said on Saturday&nbsp;that party members were not interested in why police were called to investigate concerns for the welfare of a woman in his home.

Early on Friday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-called-to-pm-hopeful-boris-johnsons-home-after-row-uk-media-229409">British police were called to Johnson's home</a> after neighbours heard a loud altercation between him and his girlfriend.&nbsp;

Johnson to declined to answer questions about the incident at a hustings event in Birmingham, in central England, saying that party members would rather hear about his plans for Britain than about the incident.

"I don't think (audience members) want to hear about that kind of thing, unless I'm wrong," Johnson said when asked about the incident, to applause from the audience.

"I think what they want to hear is what my plans are for the country and for my party."

Police had been called to an address in south London where Johnson is living with his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds. Johnson is currently divorcing his second wife.

"The caller was concerned for the welfare of a female neighbour," the police said in a statement on Friday evening. "Police attended and spoke to all occupants of the address, who were all safe and well."

"There were no offences or concerns apparent to the officers and there was no cause for police action," the statement said.

Symonds could not be reached for comment.

Despite a series of scandals in the past and criticism about his attention to detail, Brexit supporter Johnson has dominated the race to replace Prime Minister Theresa May.

After a series of ballots to whittle down the race to two candidates, 160,000 Conservative Party members will now chose either Johnson and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt as their next leader - and thus the next prime minister.

At the event in Birmingham, Johnson said that people had a right to ask questions about his character, said that his record in office showed he had the right character to be prime minister.

Johnson, 55, who served as London mayor for eight years, has cast himself as the only candidate who can deliver Brexit on Oct. 31 while fighting off the electoral threats of Nigel Farage's Brexit Party and Jeremy Corbyn's Labour.

 
&nbsp;

Boris Johnson, the favourite to be the next British Prime Minister, said on Saturday that party members were not interested in why police were called to investigate concerns for the welfare of a woman in his home.

Boris Johnson, the favourite to be the next British Prime Minister, said on Saturday that party members were not interested in why police were called to investigate concerns for the welfare of a woman in his home. Early on Friday, British police were called to Johnson's home after neighbours heard a loud altercation between him and his girlfriend. Johnson to declined to answer questions about the incident at a hustings event in Birmingham, in central England, saying that party members would rather hear about his plans for Britain than about the incident. "I don't think (audience members) want to hear about that kind of thing, unless I'm wrong," Johnson said when asked about the incident, to applause from the audience. "I think what they want to hear is what my plans are for the country and for my party." Police had been called to an address in south London where Johnson is living with his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds. Johnson is currently divorcing his second wife. "The caller was concerned for the welfare of a female neighbour," the police said in a statement on Friday evening. "Police attended and spoke to all occupants of the address, who were all safe and well." "There were no offences or concerns apparent to the officers and there was no cause for police action," the statement said. Symonds could not be reached for comment. Despite a series of scandals in the past and criticism about his attention to detail, Brexit supporter Johnson has dominated the race to replace Prime Minister Theresa May. After a series of ballots to whittle down the race to two candidates, 160,000 Conservative Party members will now chose either Johnson and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt as their next leader - and thus the next prime minister. At the event in Birmingham, Johnson said that people had a right to ask questions about his character, said that his record in office showed he had the right character to be prime minister. Johnson, 55, who served as London mayor for eight years, has cast himself as the only candidate who can deliver Brexit on Oct. 31 while fighting off the electoral threats of Nigel Farage's Brexit Party and Jeremy Corbyn's Labour.

UK PM candidate Boris Johnson avoids questions about police visit

Police were called to the home of leadership candidate Boris Johnson and his partner after reports of a heated row, according to British media, hours after he was named in the final two in the race to become prime minister.

The Guardian daily reported that officers were alerted early on Friday after a neighbour said there had been a loud altercation involving screaming, shouting and banging at the south London property.

The paper said late Friday Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds could be heard telling former London mayor Johnson to "get off me" and "get out of my flat".

London's Metropolitan Police said it responded to a call from a local resident at 12:24 am on Friday (2324 GMT Thursday).

A police spokesman said,&nbsp;"The caller was concerned for the welfare of a female neighbour.

"Police attended and spoke to all occupants of the address, who were all safe and well.

"There were no offences or concerns apparent to the officers and there was no cause for police action."

The neighbour, who said they recorded the altercation from inside their home, told the Guardian, "I (was) hoping that someone would answer the door and say 'We're okay'. I knocked three times and no one came to the door."

It was also reported that the neighbour heard "a couple of very loud screams" and a "loud bang" which shook the house.

The Press Association news agency reported Johnson's spokesman did not respond to repeated calls for comment.

Ex-foreign secretary Johnson on Saturday kicks off a month-long nationwide tour in his bid to win over grassroots Conservatives to become prime minister.

After five rounds of secret voting by MPs in the governing Conservative Party, Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are the two final contenders out of an original field of 13 hopefuls.

Police were called to the home of leadership candidate Boris Johnson and his partner after reports of a heated row, according to British media, hours after he was named in the final two in the race to become prime minister.

Police were called to the home of leadership candidate Boris Johnson and his partner after reports of a heated row, according to British media, hours after he was named in the final two in the race to become prime minister. The Guardian daily reported that officers were alerted early on Friday after a neighbour said there had been a loud altercation involving screaming, shouting and banging at the south London property. The paper said late Friday Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds could be heard telling former London mayor Johnson to "get off me" and "get out of my flat". London's Metropolitan Police said it responded to a call from a local resident at 12:24 am on Friday (2324 GMT Thursday). A police spokesman said, "The caller was concerned for the welfare of a female neighbour. "Police attended and spoke to all occupants of the address, who were all safe and well. "There were no offences or concerns apparent to the officers and there was no cause for police action." The neighbour, who said they recorded the altercation from inside their home, told the Guardian, "I (was) hoping that someone would answer the door and say 'We're okay'. I knocked three times and no one came to the door." It was also reported that the neighbour heard "a couple of very loud screams" and a "loud bang" which shook the house. The Press Association news agency reported Johnson's spokesman did not respond to repeated calls for comment. Ex-foreign secretary Johnson on Saturday kicks off a month-long nationwide tour in his bid to win over grassroots Conservatives to become prime minister. After five rounds of secret voting by MPs in the governing Conservative Party, Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are the two final contenders out of an original field of 13 hopefuls.

Police called to PM hopeful Boris Johnson's home after 'row': UK media

The British Conservative Party today picked foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt to take on Boris Johnson for the post of prime minister while eliminating MP Michael Gove in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-race-boris-johnson-wins-fourth-ballot-sajid-javed-eliminated-228981">fifth and final ballot </a>on Thursday evening.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I'm the underdog - but in politics surprises happen as they did today. I do not doubt the responsibility on my shoulders - to show my party how we deliver Brexit and not an election, but also a turbo-charged economy and a country that walks tall in the world
— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jeremy_Hunt/status/1141758702913040384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Gove who had won 61 votes to edge out Hunt who managed 59 votes in the fourth ballot held earlier in the day saw his fortunes dip in the final ballot falling short by two votes winning 75 to Hunt's final tally of 77 votes.

Former London Mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-race-boris-johnson-consolidates-lead-in-third-ballot-rory-stewart-eliminated-228801">Boris Johnson</a> who has been the frontrunner in all five ballots extended his lead to win&nbsp;160 votes after having bagged 157 Conservative votes earlier.

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Count me in! Really looking forward to a debate of ideas with my colleague <a href="https://twitter.com/Jeremy_Hunt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jeremy_Hunt</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/ITV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ITV</a> <a href="https://t.co/F1TqYHoVKQ">https://t.co/F1TqYHoVKQ</a>
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1141759439822893057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Earlier on Thursday, Sajid Javid was eliminated after he managed the least number of votes(34) as the race for next prime minister of Britain entered a decisive stage.

The prime ministerial candidate will be picked next month through a ballot by 160,000 Conservative Party members.

The final two candidates will face 16 hustings meetings around the UK and two televised debates before Tory party members will pick their leader to head the country. 
&nbsp;

The British Conservative Party today picked foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt to take on Boris Johnson for the post of prime minister while eliminating MP Michael Gove in the fifth and final ballot on Thursday evening.

The British Conservative Party today picked foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt to take on Boris Johnson for the post of prime minister while eliminating MP Michael Gove in the fifth and final ballot on Thursday evening. I'm the underdog - but in politics surprises happen as they did today. I do not doubt the responsibility on my shoulders - to show my party how we deliver Brexit and not an election, but also a turbo-charged economy and a country that walks tall in the world — Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) June 20, 2019 × Gove who had won 61 votes to edge out Hunt who managed 59 votes in the fourth ballot held earlier in the day saw his fortunes dip in the final ballot falling short by two votes winning 75 to Hunt's final tally of 77 votes. Former London Mayor Boris Johnson who has been the frontrunner in all five ballots extended his lead to win 160 votes after having bagged 157 Conservative votes earlier. Count me in! Really looking forward to a debate of ideas with my colleague @Jeremy_Hunt on @ITV https://t.co/F1TqYHoVKQ — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) June 20, 2019 × Earlier on Thursday, Sajid Javid was eliminated after he managed the least number of votes(34) as the race for next prime minister of Britain entered a decisive stage. The prime ministerial candidate will be picked next month through a ballot by 160,000 Conservative Party members. The final two candidates will face 16 hustings meetings around the UK and two televised debates before Tory party members will pick their leader to head the country.

UK PM race: Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt to contest Conservative leadership; Michael Gove eliminated in final ballot

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - June 20th, 2019

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-surveillance-asset-attacked-in-international-airspace-not-over-iran-pentagon-228977">US surveillance asset attacked in international airspace, not over Iran: Pentagon</a>

The Pentagon confirmed Thursday that Iranian forces shot down a&nbsp;US naval surveillance drone&nbsp;but insisted the aircraft was in international airspace, not that of Iran.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-race-boris-johnson-wins-fourth-ballot-sajid-javed-eliminated-228981">UK PM race: Boris Johnson wins fourth ballot, Sajid Javed eliminated</a>

British Conservative Party MPs today voted out Sajid Javid in the fourth ballot while voting heavily&nbsp;in favour of Boris Johnson&nbsp;in the race for next prime minister of United Kingdom.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-be-guided-by-our-economic-and-security-consideration-ministry-of-external-affairs-on-huawei-row-228972">Will be guided by our economic and security consideration: Ministry of external affairs on Huawei row</a>

After reports emerged that the&nbsp;US government had written&nbsp;to the external affairs ministry last month warning the government that companies found supplying equipment or other products of American origin to Huawei could face "punitive action", ministry of external affairs(MEA) spokesman Ravish Kumar said the matter was being debated.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cwc-meeting-on-new-congress-president-may-take-place-soon-228965">CWC meeting on new Congress president may take place soon</a>

Sources in the Congress party&nbsp;have confirmed that a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting may take place in the next fortnight to deliberate on the issue of a&nbsp;new president as Rahul Gandhi&nbsp;has not changed his mind on his decision to quit.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-cannot-negotiate-from-place-of-advantage-india-to-un-228947">Taliban cannot negotiate from place of advantage: India to UN</a>

India has said terror groups can not negotiate from a place of advantage, a remark directed towards groups such as&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;based in Pakistani territory.&nbsp;

US surveillance asset attacked in international airspace, not over Iran: Pentagon The Pentagon confirmed Thursday that Iranian forces shot down a US naval surveillance drone but insisted the aircraft was in international airspace, not that of Iran.

US surveillance asset attacked in international airspace, not over Iran: Pentagon The Pentagon confirmed Thursday that Iranian forces shot down a US naval surveillance drone but insisted the aircraft was in international airspace, not that of Iran. UK PM race: Boris Johnson wins fourth ballot, Sajid Javed eliminated British Conservative Party MPs today voted out Sajid Javid in the fourth ballot while voting heavily in favour of Boris Johnson in the race for next prime minister of United Kingdom. Will be guided by our economic and security consideration: Ministry of external affairs on Huawei row After reports emerged that the US government had written to the external affairs ministry last month warning the government that companies found supplying equipment or other products of American origin to Huawei could face "punitive action", ministry of external affairs(MEA) spokesman Ravish Kumar said the matter was being debated. CWC meeting on new Congress president may take place soon Sources in the Congress party have confirmed that a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting may take place in the next fortnight to deliberate on the issue of a new president as Rahul Gandhi has not changed his mind on his decision to quit. Taliban cannot negotiate from place of advantage: India to UN India has said terror groups can not negotiate from a place of advantage, a remark directed towards groups such as Taliban based in Pakistani territory.

British Conservative Party MPs today voted out Sajid Javid in the fourth ballot while voting heavily <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-race-boris-johnson-consolidates-lead-in-third-ballot-rory-stewart-eliminated-228801">in favour of Boris Johnson </a>in the race for next prime minister of United Kingdom.

Johnson who had won the third ballot on Wednesday bagging 143 votes, went further ahead today getting 157 votes from British MPs. MP Michael Gove won 61 votes while British foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt grabbed 59 votes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-race-boris-johnson-tops-second-ballot-ex-brexit-minister-dominic-raab-eliminated-228505">Sajid Javid was eliminated </a>after he managed the least number of votes(34) as the race for next prime minister of Britain entered a decisive stage.

After Javid's elimination, one more candidate needs to withdraw otherwise MPs will vote again between 3:30pm and 5:30pm today (1430 GMT and 1630 GMT) to whittle the field down to two.

The prime ministerial candidate will be picked next month through a ballot by 160,000 Conservative Party members.

The final two candidates will face 16 hustings meetings around the UK and two televised debates before Tory party members will pick their leader to head the country.

British Conservative Party MPs today voted out Sajid Javid in the fourth ballot while voting heavily in favour of Boris Johnson in the race for next prime minister of United Kingdom.

British Conservative Party MPs today voted out Sajid Javid in the fourth ballot while voting heavily in favour of Boris Johnson in the race for next prime minister of United Kingdom. Johnson who had won the third ballot on Wednesday bagging 143 votes, went further ahead today getting 157 votes from British MPs. MP Michael Gove won 61 votes while British foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt grabbed 59 votes. Sajid Javid was eliminated after he managed the least number of votes(34) as the race for next prime minister of Britain entered a decisive stage. After Javid's elimination, one more candidate needs to withdraw otherwise MPs will vote again between 3:30pm and 5:30pm today (1430 GMT and 1630 GMT) to whittle the field down to two. The prime ministerial candidate will be picked next month through a ballot by 160,000 Conservative Party members. The final two candidates will face 16 hustings meetings around the UK and two televised debates before Tory party members will pick their leader to head the country.

UK PM race: Boris Johnson wins fourth ballot, Sajid Javed eliminated

Conservative MPs began voting on Thursday to finally decide who will join <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-race-boris-johnson-consolidates-lead-in-third-ballot-rory-stewart-eliminated-228801">Boris Johnson in the final two</a> battling to become Britain's next prime minister, with three contenders jostling for the second spot.

Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, environment secretary Michael Gove and interior minister Sajid Javid are vying to join Johnson on the ballot paper to be put before 160,000 Conservative Party members.

Two rounds of voting are scheduled to whittle the four down to two,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-delighted-to-win-first-round-of-race-for-british-prime-minister-226898"> though Johnson, barring a spectacular</a> collapse in support, already has more than enough backing to ensure he cruises through.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/will-boris-johnson-be-the-next-uk-pm-221660/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The last two will then face 16 hustings meetings around the country and two televised debates before Tory party members send in their postal votes to pick a new leader.

The winner will be announced in the week beginning July 22 and then take over from Theresa May as prime minister.

In Wednesday's third ballot of 313 MPs in the governing, centre-right Conservative Party, former foreign secretary Johnson came first with 143 votes, ahead of Hunt on 54, Gove on 51 and Javid on 38.

International development minister Rory Stewart was eliminated with 27 votes.

Thursday's fourth ballot to whittle them down to three opened at 10am (0900 GMT), with the result to be declared at 1pm.&nbsp;

If no candidate then chooses to withdraw, MPs are scheduled to vote again between 3:30pm and 5:30pm (1430 GMT and 1630 GMT).

Thursday's double round of voting will see candidates frantically scrambling for their colleagues' support -- and arm-twisting galore.

Before Wednesday's vote, Stewart said he had been speaking to Gove about potentially joining forces.

Hunt has come second to former London mayor Johnson in the first three rounds and pledged: "If I make it to the final I will put my heart and soul into giving him the contest of his life."

Gove said: "I'm determined to make this a contest of ideas."

Home Secretary Javid was upbeat, saying: "We can do this!"

Former interior minister Amber Rudd on Thursday called on Johnson to denounce reports that some of his supporters were lending their support to other candidates in order to get his less favoured rivals eliminated.

"This is a serious moment," she told BBC Radio. "We don't need that sort of game playing going on in parliament."

His supporters were reported by the Daily Telegraph to be plotting to eliminate Gove in revenge for bringing down Johnson's previous bid to become prime minister in 2016.&nbsp;

Bookmakers say Johnson has a 10 in 11 chance of becoming the next Conservative leader.

May stepped down as Conservative leader earlier this month over her failure to deliver Brexit on time, although she remains prime minister until her successor is chosen.

MPs rejected the divorce deal she struck with Brussels three times, shredding her authority.

May has not revealed who she has voted for. She has repeatedly told journalists "none of your business!" after voting and said she had not even told her husband.

Finance minister Philip Hammond has also kept mum on who he is backing.

All four candidates say they will threaten to leave the EU with "no deal" in a bid to change the withdrawal agreement text, which Brussels has so far said will not be reopened.

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte told BBC Radio on Thursday that a no deal Brexit would leave Britain "a different country.

"It will be a diminished country. It is unavoidable," he warned.

Johnson and Javid insist Britain must leave on the twice-delayed October 31 exit date, while Hunt and Gove are prepared to delay further if a divorce deal with Brussels seems close.

In his annual Mansion House speech to London banking bigwigs, Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond will say he cannot imagine any Conservative government "actively pursuing a no-deal Brexit".

According to his Treasury ministry, he will say it would risk breaking up the United Kingdom, Britain's economic prosperity and triggering a general election that could put Jeremy Corbyn, the main opposition Labour Party's left-wing leader, into Downing Street.

Conservative MPs began voting on Thursday to finally decide who will join Boris Johnson in the final two battling to become Britain's next prime minister, with three contenders jostling for the second spot.

Conservative MPs began voting on Thursday to finally decide who will join Boris Johnson in the final two battling to become Britain's next prime minister, with three contenders jostling for the second spot. Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, environment secretary Michael Gove and interior minister Sajid Javid are vying to join Johnson on the ballot paper to be put before 160,000 Conservative Party members. Two rounds of voting are scheduled to whittle the four down to two, though Johnson, barring a spectacular collapse in support, already has more than enough backing to ensure he cruises through. The last two will then face 16 hustings meetings around the country and two televised debates before Tory party members send in their postal votes to pick a new leader. The winner will be announced in the week beginning July 22 and then take over from Theresa May as prime minister. In Wednesday's third ballot of 313 MPs in the governing, centre-right Conservative Party, former foreign secretary Johnson came first with 143 votes, ahead of Hunt on 54, Gove on 51 and Javid on 38. International development minister Rory Stewart was eliminated with 27 votes. Thursday's fourth ballot to whittle them down to three opened at 10am (0900 GMT), with the result to be declared at 1pm. If no candidate then chooses to withdraw, MPs are scheduled to vote again between 3:30pm and 5:30pm (1430 GMT and 1630 GMT). Thursday's double round of voting will see candidates frantically scrambling for their colleagues' support -- and arm-twisting galore. Before Wednesday's vote, Stewart said he had been speaking to Gove about potentially joining forces. Hunt has come second to former London mayor Johnson in the first three rounds and pledged: "If I make it to the final I will put my heart and soul into giving him the contest of his life." Gove said: "I'm determined to make this a contest of ideas." Home Secretary Javid was upbeat, saying: "We can do this!" Former interior minister Amber Rudd on Thursday called on Johnson to denounce reports that some of his supporters were lending their support to other candidates in order to get his less favoured rivals eliminated. "This is a serious moment," she told BBC Radio. "We don't need that sort of game playing going on in parliament." His supporters were reported by the Daily Telegraph to be plotting to eliminate Gove in revenge for bringing down Johnson's previous bid to become prime minister in 2016. Bookmakers say Johnson has a 10 in 11 chance of becoming the next Conservative leader. May stepped down as Conservative leader earlier this month over her failure to deliver Brexit on time, although she remains prime minister until her successor is chosen. MPs rejected the divorce deal she struck with Brussels three times, shredding her authority. May has not revealed who she has voted for. She has repeatedly told journalists "none of your business!" after voting and said she had not even told her husband. Finance minister Philip Hammond has also kept mum on who he is backing. All four candidates say they will threaten to leave the EU with "no deal" in a bid to change the withdrawal agreement text, which Brussels has so far said will not be reopened. Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte told BBC Radio on Thursday that a no deal Brexit would leave Britain "a different country. "It will be a diminished country. It is unavoidable," he warned. Johnson and Javid insist Britain must leave on the twice-delayed October 31 exit date, while Hunt and Gove are prepared to delay further if a divorce deal with Brussels seems close. In his annual Mansion House speech to London banking bigwigs, Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond will say he cannot imagine any Conservative government "actively pursuing a no-deal Brexit". According to his Treasury ministry, he will say it would risk breaking up the United Kingdom, Britain's economic prosperity and triggering a general election that could put Jeremy Corbyn, the main opposition Labour Party's left-wing leader, into Downing Street.

UK PM race: Conservative MPs begin voting to pick candidate to join Boris Johnson

Britain's ruling Conservative Party on Wednesday&nbsp;voted overwhelmingly&nbsp;for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-must-leave-european-union-by-october-31-or-pay-the-price-boris-johnson-228539">Boris Johnson in the third ballot</a>&nbsp;eliminating another rival MP Rory Stewart in the race for&nbsp;UK's next prime minister.

Johnson who was&nbsp;the frontrunner in the previous two ballots won 143 votes, followed by British foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt who won 54 votes, Michael Gove winning 51 votes and London Mayor&nbsp;Sadiq Khan getting 38 votes.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thank you once again to friends and colleagues for your support in the third ballot - especially on my birthday! We’ve come a long way but we have much further to go. 
 
Join the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BackBoris?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BackBoris</a> team 👉 <a href="https://t.co/tGRXu94CmT">https://t.co/tGRXu94CmT</a> <a href="https://t.co/p5ImzGTKDf">pic.twitter.com/p5ImzGTKDf</a>
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1141392182131212293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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International Development Secretary Rory Stewart who was eliminated in the race won 27 votes.

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I am so moved &amp; inspired by the support I have received over the last few weeks - it has given me a new faith in politics, a new belief in our country. I didn’t get enough MPs to believe today - but they will 🙂 I remain deeply committed to you and to this country. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoryWalksOn?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoryWalksOn</a>
— Rory Stewart (@RoryStewartUK) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoryStewartUK/status/1141391952887320576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Ex-minister Dominic Raab was knocked out in the second ballot on Tuesday.

He won 30 votes short of the 33-vote threshold needed to stay in the race. Johnson had got 126 votes to lead the race. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt came second in the previous round, with 46 votes.

Raab later backed Johnson declaring that he was the only candidate who would deliver Brexit by October 31.

Britain's ruling Conservative Party on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly for Boris Johnson in the third ballot eliminating another rival MP Rory Stewart in the race for UK's next prime minister.

Britain's ruling Conservative Party on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly for Boris Johnson in the third ballot eliminating another rival MP Rory Stewart in the race for UK's next prime minister. Johnson who was the frontrunner in the previous two ballots won 143 votes, followed by British foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt who won 54 votes, Michael Gove winning 51 votes and London Mayor Sadiq Khan getting 38 votes. Thank you once again to friends and colleagues for your support in the third ballot - especially on my birthday! We’ve come a long way but we have much further to go. Join the #BackBoris team 👉 https://t.co/tGRXu94CmT pic.twitter.com/p5ImzGTKDf — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) June 19, 2019 × International Development Secretary Rory Stewart who was eliminated in the race won 27 votes. I am so moved & inspired by the support I have received over the last few weeks - it has given me a new faith in politics, a new belief in our country. I didn’t get enough MPs to believe today - but they will 🙂 I remain deeply committed to you and to this country. #RoryWalksOn — Rory Stewart (@RoryStewartUK) June 19, 2019 × Ex-minister Dominic Raab was knocked out in the second ballot on Tuesday. He won 30 votes short of the 33-vote threshold needed to stay in the race. Johnson had got 126 votes to lead the race. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt came second in the previous round, with 46 votes. Raab later backed Johnson declaring that he was the only candidate who would deliver Brexit by October 31.

UK PM race: Boris Johnson consolidates lead in third ballot, Rory Stewart eliminated

Boris Johnson, the frontrunner to be <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-fends-off-dwindling-british-pm-rivals-in-tv-debate-228529">Britain's prime minister,</a> repeated his pledge on Tuesday that he would take the United Kingdom out of the European Union by October 31, saying otherwise the government would face a catastrophic loss in trust.

"We must come out on the 31 October because, otherwise I am afraid we face a catastrophic loss in politics," Johnson said in a televised debate with the other four remaining candidates seeking to be Britain's next leader.

"Unless we do it, unless we get out on October 31 I think we will all start to pay a really serious price."

Boris Johnson, the frontrunner to be Britain's prime minister, repeated his pledge on Tuesday that he would take the United Kingdom out of the European Union by October 31, saying otherwise the government would face a catastrophic loss in trust.

Boris Johnson, the frontrunner to be Britain's prime minister, repeated his pledge on Tuesday that he would take the United Kingdom out of the European Union by October 31, saying otherwise the government would face a catastrophic loss in trust. "We must come out on the 31 October because, otherwise I am afraid we face a catastrophic loss in politics," Johnson said in a televised debate with the other four remaining candidates seeking to be Britain's next leader. "Unless we do it, unless we get out on October 31 I think we will all start to pay a really serious price."

Britain must leave European Union by October 31 or pay the price: Boris Johnson

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-formally-kicks-off-the-2020-reelection-campaign-at-orlando-rally-in-florida-228522">Donald Trump formally kicks off the 2020 reelection campaign, with vow to 'keep America great'</a>

United States President Donald Trump formally launched his 2020 re-election campaign today in front of a large crowd in Orlando, Florida.

"With every ounce of heart and might and sweat and soul, we're going to keep making America great again and then we will indeed keep America great," Trump said during the rally.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-fends-off-dwindling-british-pm-rivals-in-tv-debate-228529">Boris Johnson fends off dwindling British PM rivals in TV debate</a>

Brexit figurehead Boris Johnson said Tuesday that Britain "must come out" of the EU by the new October deadline as he fended off his four remaining UK leadership race rivals in his first TV debate.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eyeing-global-groundswell-of-hate-speech-un-launches-action-plan-to-combat-228527">Eyeing global 'groundswell' of hate speech, UN launches action plan to combat</a>

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday launched an action plan to curb rising hate speech in the world arena and warned that the world is in danger of forgetting the impact of hate speech.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-asks-new-york-times-to-disclose-sources-that-us-is-ramping-up-cyber-attacks-on-russia-228519">Donald Trump asks New York Times to disclose sources that US is ramping up cyber attacks on Russia</a>

US President Donald Trump has asked The New York Times to disclose its sources behind the report that claimed that his government was ramping up cyber attacks on Russia's electric power grid as a sign of warning to President Vladimir Putin.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-china-cooperation-factor-of-peace-and-stability-in-region-imran-khan-228523">Pakistan, China cooperation factor of peace and stability in region: Imran Khan</a>

Prime Minister Imran Khan said Tuesday that close cooperation between Pakistan and China was a factor of peace and stability in the region.

He was talking to General Han Weiguo, Commander People's Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Forces, who called on him.

Donald Trump formally kicks off the 2020 reelection campaign, with vow to 'keep America great' United States President Donald Trump formally launched his 2020 re-election campaign today in front of a large crowd in Orlando, Florida.

Donald Trump formally kicks off the 2020 reelection campaign, with vow to 'keep America great' United States President Donald Trump formally launched his 2020 re-election campaign today in front of a large crowd in Orlando, Florida. "With every ounce of heart and might and sweat and soul, we're going to keep making America great again and then we will indeed keep America great," Trump said during the rally. Boris Johnson fends off dwindling British PM rivals in TV debate Brexit figurehead Boris Johnson said Tuesday that Britain "must come out" of the EU by the new October deadline as he fended off his four remaining UK leadership race rivals in his first TV debate. Eyeing global 'groundswell' of hate speech, UN launches action plan to combat United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday launched an action plan to curb rising hate speech in the world arena and warned that the world is in danger of forgetting the impact of hate speech. Donald Trump asks New York Times to disclose sources that US is ramping up cyber attacks on Russia US President Donald Trump has asked The New York Times to disclose its sources behind the report that claimed that his government was ramping up cyber attacks on Russia's electric power grid as a sign of warning to President Vladimir Putin. Pakistan, China cooperation factor of peace and stability in region: Imran Khan Prime Minister Imran Khan said Tuesday that close cooperation between Pakistan and China was a factor of peace and stability in the region. He was talking to General Han Weiguo, Commander People's Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Forces, who called on him.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - June 19th, 2019

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-race-boris-johnson-tops-second-ballot-ex-brexit-minister-dominic-raab-eliminated-228505">Brexit figurehead Boris Johnson </a>said Tuesday that Britain "must come out" of the EU by the new October deadline as he fended off his four remaining UK <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-prime-ministerial-rivals-clash-over-brexit-strategy-227842">leadership race rivals in his first TV debate</a>.

The former foreign minister kept his cool and made no evident stumbles after seeing his advantage grow in a second-round ballot held earlier Tuesday by lawmakers from the ruling Conservatives in the lower House of Commons.

Johnson had ducked out of the first TV showdown on Sunday and has carefully stage-managed his media engagements in a contest that remains his to lose.

He cast himself on Tuesday as the one politician able to bring Britain successfully out of the European Union and therefore deliver the Brexit that UK voters called for three years ago.

"We must come out on October 31 because otherwise I'm afraid we face a catastrophic loss of confidence in politics," said Johnson in the hour-long BBC television question-and-answer session with voters.

"I think the British people are thoroughly fed up."

But neither he nor the other contenders raised their hands when asked by the BBC to do so if they could "guarantee" that Brexit will happen by October 31.

Frantic search for leader

The surprisingly even-tempered debate did little to alter a growing sense that Johnson would need to make an error of monumental proportions to lose at this stage.

The Guardian newspaper called Johnson's performance "sober and sensible".

Brexit Claims Another PM: May Steps Down

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"Still the clear front-runner, still almost certainly the next PM," it wrote.

Johnson picked up 126 of the 313 Conservative MPs' votes cast Tuesday while hardline former Brexit minister Dominic Raab got knocked out after falling three short of 33-vote threshold.

Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt wo 46 votes and environment minister Michael Gove 41.

Moderate international development minister Rory Stewart continued his against-the-odds challenge by expanding his support base from last week's 19 to 37.

Interior minister Sajid Javid scraped through to the next round of coting with exactly 33.

Britain is frantically searching for a leader after Prime Minister Theresa May stepped down last month over her repeated failure to deliver Brexit on time.

Her successor will be saddled with both resolving Britain deepest political crisis in generations and setting the terms of how it deals with the rest of Europe for decades to come.

Further rounds of voting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday will whittle the list of contenders down to just two.

The finalists will face the ruling party's 160,000 grassroots members in a vote next month to decide the winner, who will become the next prime minister.

'Not credible'

Johnson's lead is so substantial that some UK media say the others are simply fighting for a good spot in his future government.

Stewart fired the most direct barbs at Johnson on Tuesday by arguing that "no-deal \(Brexit) is not a credible threat".

Both Hunt and Gove repeated that a further delay may be required if a Brexit deal was within reach.

"If we were nearly there, then I would take a bit longer," Hunt said.

Gove said that he would also allow "extra time" if a solution was in sight.

But Javid said it was "fundamental" to get out of the EU by the new October deadline no matter what.

"We have got to learn from our mistakes," said Javid.

UK politicians are split between ardent eurosceptics who would prefer to see Britain leave without any strings attached to the bloc.

Moderate &nbsp;Brexit backers want some sort of deal that preserves established economic links between the ancient trading partners.

Johnson has warned throughout that he is prepared to get Britain out of the European Union without an agreement -- as long as it is done by the October 31 deadline.

But he has also called this tough talk a negotiating tactic designed to scare Brussels and force it to compromise on the nagging issue of status of Irish border.

EU leaders have long ruled out re-opening the binding part of the agreement they all signed with May last year.

Only Stewart is openly trying to salvage May's deal in the hope of pushing it through Britain's splintered parliament at the fourth attempt.

The Daily Telegraph suggested that Stewart and Johnson had moved closer to a face-to-face showdown "after emerging as the big winners" from Tuesday's vote and debate.

Brexit figurehead Boris Johnson said Tuesday that Britain "must come out" of the EU by the new October deadline as he fended off his four remaining UK leadership race rivals in his first TV debate.

Brexit figurehead Boris Johnson said Tuesday that Britain "must come out" of the EU by the new October deadline as he fended off his four remaining UK leadership race rivals in his first TV debate. The former foreign minister kept his cool and made no evident stumbles after seeing his advantage grow in a second-round ballot held earlier Tuesday by lawmakers from the ruling Conservatives in the lower House of Commons. Johnson had ducked out of the first TV showdown on Sunday and has carefully stage-managed his media engagements in a contest that remains his to lose. He cast himself on Tuesday as the one politician able to bring Britain successfully out of the European Union and therefore deliver the Brexit that UK voters called for three years ago. "We must come out on October 31 because otherwise I'm afraid we face a catastrophic loss of confidence in politics," said Johnson in the hour-long BBC television question-and-answer session with voters. "I think the British people are thoroughly fed up." But neither he nor the other contenders raised their hands when asked by the BBC to do so if they could "guarantee" that Brexit will happen by October 31. Frantic search for leader The surprisingly even-tempered debate did little to alter a growing sense that Johnson would need to make an error of monumental proportions to lose at this stage. The Guardian newspaper called Johnson's performance "sober and sensible". Brexit Claims Another PM: May Steps Down "Still the clear front-runner, still almost certainly the next PM," it wrote. Johnson picked up 126 of the 313 Conservative MPs' votes cast Tuesday while hardline former Brexit minister Dominic Raab got knocked out after falling three short of 33-vote threshold. Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt wo 46 votes and environment minister Michael Gove 41. Moderate international development minister Rory Stewart continued his against-the-odds challenge by expanding his support base from last week's 19 to 37. Interior minister Sajid Javid scraped through to the next round of coting with exactly 33. Britain is frantically searching for a leader after Prime Minister Theresa May stepped down last month over her repeated failure to deliver Brexit on time. Her successor will be saddled with both resolving Britain deepest political crisis in generations and setting the terms of how it deals with the rest of Europe for decades to come. Further rounds of voting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday will whittle the list of contenders down to just two. The finalists will face the ruling party's 160,000 grassroots members in a vote next month to decide the winner, who will become the next prime minister. 'Not credible' Johnson's lead is so substantial that some UK media say the others are simply fighting for a good spot in his future government. Stewart fired the most direct barbs at Johnson on Tuesday by arguing that "no-deal \(Brexit) is not a credible threat". Both Hunt and Gove repeated that a further delay may be required if a Brexit deal was within reach. "If we were nearly there, then I would take a bit longer," Hunt said. Gove said that he would also allow "extra time" if a solution was in sight. But Javid said it was "fundamental" to get out of the EU by the new October deadline no matter what. "We have got to learn from our mistakes," said Javid. UK politicians are split between ardent eurosceptics who would prefer to see Britain leave without any strings attached to the bloc. Moderate Brexit backers want some sort of deal that preserves established economic links between the ancient trading partners. Johnson has warned throughout that he is prepared to get Britain out of the European Union without an agreement -- as long as it is done by the October 31 deadline. But he has also called this tough talk a negotiating tactic designed to scare Brussels and force it to compromise on the nagging issue of status of Irish border. EU leaders have long ruled out re-opening the binding part of the agreement they all signed with May last year. Only Stewart is openly trying to salvage May's deal in the hope of pushing it through Britain's splintered parliament at the fourth attempt. The Daily Telegraph suggested that Stewart and Johnson had moved closer to a face-to-face showdown "after emerging as the big winners" from Tuesday's vote and debate.

Boris Johnson fends off dwindling British PM rivals in TV debate

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Boris Johnson fends off dwindling British PM rivals in TV debate