Brexit news: Final Tory leadership candidates confirmed, as Boris Johnson condemned over tax cuts for the wealthy
Follow live updates from Westminster as they happened
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.Ten Conservative MPs have formally entered the race to succeed Theresa May, as several outsiders scored enough support to get onto the ballot paper.
Sam Gyimah, who was the only second referendum candidate, withdrew from the race moments before senior Tories announced the shortlist, which included big-hitters such as Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt and Dominic Raab.
Outsiders Rory Stewart, Andrea Leadsom, Esther McVey and Mark Harper also made it to the starting line, despite speculation that some would struggle to secure the necessary support.
It comes as Mr Johnson, the frontrunner in the race, faced an angry backlash over his plan to raise the 40p income tax threshold at a cost of nearly £10bn – handing thousands of pounds a year back to people on salaries of between £50,000 and £80,000.
To follow events as they unfolded, see our live coverage below
During the Q&A after his speech, Jeremy Hunt confirms that he would prefer a no-deal Brexit to no Brexit at all but that he does not believe Parliament would allow it to happen.
He says his conversations with EU leaders suggest that they want to find a solution to the Brexit impasse.
He is asked about his views on abortion (he believes the time-limit should be reduced to 12 weeks) and says: "No government I lead will ever seek to change the law on abortion."
Esther McVey, the former work and pensions secretary, is also launching her leadership campaign today. She's doing so with a photo of Margaret Thatcher stuck to the podium from which she is speaking...
Here's a summary of the criticism of Boris Johnson's tax plans from senior Tories this morning:
Andrea Leadsom, leadership candidate: "I think, in reality, in this Parliament, it will be impossible, to actually get whole-scale tax changes through."
Dominic Raab, leadership candidate: "I want a fairer deal for workers, and I'm on the side of the lowest paid, not the wealthy."
Rory Stewart, leadership candidate: "This campaign...must not become a competition for unfunded tax cuts and spending pledges. We must - particularly in the context of Brexit - preserve a reputation for economic competence."
David Gauke, justice secretary: "I think this is the wrong priority."
Amber Rudd, work and pensions secretary, "If you want to badge yourself as a One Nation Conservative, you focus on tax cuts and investment in infrastructure to help the lowest paid and the people in most difficulty in all parts of this country. That's not what he's doing.
Nicky Morgan, chair of Commons Treasury committee: "The question for Boris is why is this a priority when you could be obviously lifting more people out of paying income tax - the lower rate taxpayers - or you could be give people receiving child benefit an extra £15 a week."
Full story: Boris Johnson pledges tax cut for wealthy people that would cost £9.6bn a year
BREAKING: Esther McVey's campaign launch has been interrupted by a very angry man shouting about, well, something that's not entirely clear.
Labour has accused Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, of "unacceptable interference" in UK politics after he appeared to suggest that he would try to stop Jeremy Corbyn becoming prime minister.
According to a leaked recording, Mr Pompeo was asked during a meeting with Jewish leaders whether he would be willing to "work with us to take on actions if life becomes very difficult for Jews in the UK?"
He replied:
“It could be that Mr Corbyn manages to run the gauntlet and get elected,” he said on the recording. It’s possible. You should know, we won’t wait for him to do those things to begin to push back. We will do our level best. It’s too risky and too important and too hard once it’s already happened.”
A Labour spokesperson said:
“President Trump and his officials’ attempts to decide who will be Britain’s next prime minister are an entirely unacceptable interference in the UK’s democracy.”
Rory Stewart, the international development secretary and one of the Tory leadership candidates, has tweeted this in response to Boris Johnson announcing his plans to cut taxes for wealthier earners...
As if the Tory leadership contest had not produced enough cringeworthy moments already today, Esther McVey has been forced to endure an awkward exchange with Lorraine Kelly during an appearance on Good Morning Britain.
Kelly appeared to snub her former GMTV colleague when host Susanna Reid asked if she could remember the Conservative leadership hopeful from her presenting days.
If toe-curling embarrassment is your thing, the whole segment can be watched here:
Rory Stewart says he has reached the necessary eight signatures from Tory MPs in order to progress to the first round of voting in the party’s leadership contest.
Candidates have until 5pm this evening to reach the magic number.
Tory MPs will hold announced the results of the first ballot on Thursday, at which point anyone who does not have the backing of at least 17 of their colleagues will also be eliminated.
The poorest areas of the UK will lose billions of pounds in public spending after Brexit under government plans, while the richest areas will gain, a new study is warning.
Wales and the south west and north east of England will be the biggest losers, with cash diverted to wealthy London and the south east, it has calculated.
Authors of the research have described the plans as a “historic disaster”, urging Tory leadership contenders to back a change of course.
Rob Merrick has the full story here:
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments