Brexit news: Boris Johnson falls behind Jeremy Hunt in poll of British voters' preferred PM, amid Trump-esque hustings claim and no-deal hint
Meanwhile, across the floor, Labour's Chris Williamson is suspended a second time over antisemitism row
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson has refused to rule out suspending parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit as he stepped up his campaign to become the next prime minister.
The Tory leadership frontrunner confirmed the option was on the table after Jeremy Hunt urged him to be “straight with the people” and accused him of getting “some important facts wrong”.
It came as a senior ally of Angela Merkel savaged the former foriegn secretary by saying he "invented stories" while working as the Daily Telegraph's Brussels reporter - and that he "has not changed".
Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn came under huge pressure to sack Chris Williamson following a row over antisemitism - before the outcast Derby North MP had the whip suspended for a second time.
Mr Williamson, a close ally of Mr Corbyn, was first suspended in February after being recorded claiming Labour had “given too much ground” and been “too apologetic” in tackling antisemitism.
Theresa May met with Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Japan in a chilly encounter that will likely be remembered for the no-love-lost handshake the pair shared in front of press photographers.
The meeting followed the Russian president's claim that liberal values were now obsolete in the face of populist surges in the US and Europe.
See below how we covered the day's events
Asked if he had called the French "turds" while foreign secretary, Boris Johnson replied "pas du tout" (not at all).
While Boris Johnson is in Exeter, a People's Vote ad van is driving around the city accusing him of being in the pocket of Nigel Farage.
Jeremy Corbyn has defended the way Chris Williamson was dealt with by the party's antisemitism panel, as party sources said it would be "inappropriate" for the leader to intervene.
Here's political correspondent Ashley Cowburn with the latest on the story:
Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt will each speak to members for seven minutes at the hustings in Exeter, which is now getting underway.
They will then be probed by Iain Dale for ten minutes before Tory members get their turn to ask questions (selected by Iain Dale).
Boris Johnson is up first, with an attempt to appeal to local party members by boasting that he grew up on an Exmoor farm and swam in the River Exe.
He makes his usual pledge to "get Brexit done" and leave the EU by 31 October. "Let's take the Irish backstop... and remit all that... until after we come out on October 31st."
Asked what he would tell Mr Putin, Mr Johnson does not directly answer the question but says that Theresa May was "totally right" to challenge the Russian leader over the Novichok poisonings in Salisbury.
He also hailed his own role in expelling Russian diplomats following the Salisbury nerve agent attack.
Mr Johnson said: "One of the saddest things I discovered in the Foreign Office is every British prime minister, every foreign secretary comes into office, I think in the last 10 years or so, thinking they can have a reset, thinking they can have a normalisation.
"What happens is they try, they try and Russia always lets you down. And it's so sad."
He repeats his statement that the option of suspending parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit remains on the table.
"It's a very big and capacious table," he says, but adds. "I am not remotely attracted to that kind of device."
Mr Johnson says that nobody has been offered a job in his cabinet, following reports that Sajid Javid was being lined up as chancellor.
Asked about his alleged description of the French as "turds", he replies: “I have no recollection of this comment”.
He said he would negotiate with the EU in a friendly way but claimed that the UK had been "too defeatist... too supine".
The host asks: "Tell us one thing about you that we don't know".
Mr Johnson replies: "My weight." He reveals it is around 15.5 stone (98kg). "I was 16 and a half, so I've made progress."
The first question from Tory members comes from Peter Booth, south west regional chairman, who asks whether Boris Johnson can unite the party by weaving together "fifty shades of blue".
"I am. I really think people have had enough of division," Mr Johnson replies. "The threat is clear, it's the Brexit Party and the Lib Dems, both taking advantage of the failure to get this thing done."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments