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
Mr Johnson says he does not want an early election. "We want to get brexit done... and then we are going to wallop Jeremy Corbyn for six."
He tells the teenager: "My intention, sir, is that you should be able to vote in the next election."
Jeremy Hunt begins his speech by saying he lived in Devon for two years. The Tory members don't seem to be that impressed.
He goes on to say he will negotiate a deal with the EU to "deliver Brexit and make it a huge success".
Mr Hunt also attacks Jeremy Corbyn, calling on Tory members to vote for "our own Jeremy".
He adds: "This Jeremy is going to win the argument for enterprise, for social justice."
Jeremy Hunt has also pledged not to call an early election before delivering Brexit.
Asked if he would "kick the can down the road", "If you make it an absolute hard deadline then you have to have an election to change parliament. I won't do that. It doesn't matter who our leader is, we would be crucified if we have an election before we left the European Union. We would be risking having Corbyn in Downing Street."
Mr Hunt ruled out bringing Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement back before the Commons.
Asked if he would confirm he would not bring it before Parliament again, he simply replied: "Yes."
Here's video from the hustings of Johnson's response to claims he called the French "turds" over Brexit.
Mr Hunt says says he does not want the leadership contest to focus on politicians' private lives.
"We all have things in our private life, things that we did twenty years ago that we would not want our mum and dad to find out about," he said. "I've got lots and I'm not going to tell you, Ian, sorry - and my wife is sitting in the front row, so that's another reason.
"I think when we are in a constitutional crisis, frankly the biggest constitutional crisis of my lifetime, it demeans that competition if we start having huge discussions about people's private lives and I think we should stick to the issues facing the country."
Jeremy Hunt said he would "love" to have Boris Johnson in his cabinet if he wins the leadership election.
He attempts to joke that the former foreign secretary could be his "minister for collective responsibility". Groans are heard in the background.
Mr Hunt adds that his rival "has changed the course of our history through his leadership of the Leave campaign and he should always have a very big role in taking things forward."
In terms of what role he would have, I think that's a discussion that I would have with him in that situation. Would I serve him? Of course - we're in an incredibly difficult situation.
I think whoever doesn't win in this contest needs to put their shoulder to the wheel and serve loyally the winner so that we can get through this, get to the other side, and give the country all the exciting things that we want to do.
I think the important thing is that both of us should be willing to serve the other if things don't work out the way that we want.
Mr Hunt said he wanted to emulate Donald Trump by cutting taxes to boost the economy.
"Inheritance tax is one of the most unfair taxes because people have worked hard all their lives, they've saved up, and one of the reasons you save up is to pass things on to your children," he told the hustings.
"But what I would say is my priority, when it comes to tax cuts, are the things that are going to fire up our economy.
"If we could boost our growth rate, just as Trump has done with his business tax cuts, if we got it up to American levels, that alone would be an extra £20 billion to spend on tax cuts, maybe an inheritance tax cut, or money for our public services like the NHS or the social care system."
Mr Hunt says he would urge parliament not to take a no-deal Brexit off the table because "if they do that it is less likely we will get a deal".
"I believe I can negotiate a deal," he adds. "I have talked to European leaders and they don't want a no-deal Brexit either.
"It is wrong for parliament for take no-deal off the table, that is a very important part of our negotiating leverage. It's one of the reasons it was difficult for Theresa May, because the Europeans didn't believe we would walk away."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments