Boris Johnson should 'face the music' and take part in televised debate, his constituents say

Boris Johnson’s constituents have said he should “face the music” and take part in a live TV debate so the public can hear what he has to say if he wants to become prime minister.

The Tory leadership frontrunner was branded a “bottler” and a “coward” by opponent Jeremy Hunt for refusing to face scrutiny after Sky News was forced to cancel a debate between the pair.

The former foreign secretary has faced mounting pressure to answer questions about the police being called to the Camberwell home he shares with girlfriend Carrie Symonds after a loud late-night altercation.

In his constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip in west London, many Tory voters told The Independent that his personal life should remain personal.

But while they did not blame him for keeping it private, they did think he should answer questions about his policies if he wants to be Tory leader and prime minister.

Brenda Connor, 78, said she could not understand why he refused to take part in a televised debate and that he should just “keep away from his private life”.

Her husband Ron Connor, 80, who recounted a story about Mr Johnson rolling up his sleeves and getting involved at the opening of a local bowls club, added: “I know he wants to be our prime minister and I suppose he's going to have to face the music some time so I think he needs to make his mind up.”

Meanwhile, teaching assistant Imelda Mullane said the people “need to know what he’s thinking” if he wants to be leader.

“I believe he should get up there and say what he wants even if we're not going to agree with it I think we need to be able to hear what he has to say,” the 61-year-old said.

Matt Neale said that he believed everyone has a right to a private life, including Mr Johnson and his partner.

But he said “it would be right for him to come out with just a short explanation," about the incident with Ms Symonds, "to put everyone’s minds at ease”.

The 27-year-old added: “Everyone wants to know what he's thinking, everyone wants to know as much information as possible.”

Retired British Airways worker John Conway said Mr Johnson was “the best of a bad bunch”.

The 83-year-old added that his MP was probably dodging live debates because “he'll do himself more damage by appearing than keeping quiet”.

He said: “Jeremy Hunt would call him a coward because he's an opponent but it doesn't mean that Boris is a coward he's just being very careful that's all."

But retired nurse Margaret Blackstone said it would not make the slightest bit of difference to her opinion of the politician if he does or does not take part in a debate.

“He's a bit of a buffoon at times, I must admit, and I think he doesn't put his brain into gear before he opens his mouth but I don't think he does that with a malicious intent,” said the 59-year-old.

On his row with Ms Symonds she added: “He’s inside his own house having a row with his girlfriend; it's nobody's business but theirs.