Jeremy Hunt has challenged Boris Johnson to get involved in more televised debates, saying "if you want the top job you've got to turn up for the interview".

The Tory leadership hopeful said it would make a "mockery" of the contest if the two contenders did not appear in a debate before voting begins next month.

Some 160,000 Conservative Party members will be able to vote via postal ballot before the new prime minister is announced in late July.

In a letter addressed to Mr Johnson, the current foreign secretary said he was "concerned" Mr Johnson had only committed to one TV debate.

He continued it would do the country a "disservice" if the leadership hopefuls "hid away" until voting was over.


"So my challenge to you is this: let's have live televised debates right at the start of this contest, and specifically at least two in the next two weeks before members receive their ballot papers.

"I will debate you anytime, anywhere on live TV."

The final two candidates are expected to take part in a head-to-head ITV debate on 9 July hosted by Julie Etchingham.

Sky News is also due to host a debate, moderated by Kay Burley, which Mr Hunt has agreed to take part in - but Mr Johnson has so far refused to commit.

"If the party want him to go out to battle against Nigel Farage, Jeremy Corbyn, 27 EU countries, then surely it's not such a big deal to go out against a friendly foreign secretary," Mr Hunt said.

He continued: "This is the biggest job in the country, the most important position in the land.

"If you want the top job you've got to turn up for the interview."

Mr Hunt and Mr Johnson will be taking part in 16 hustings events in every region across the UK in a bid to win over Tory members.

The first will be held in Birmingham today and will see the candidates taking questions from members and putting forward their cases.

:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

However, Mr Hunt argued that hustings do not provide the same "rigorous scrutiny" as appearing on news programmes.

In an earlier debate on Channel 4, an empty podium was reserved for Mr Johnson after the former foreign secretary chose not to attend.

Mr Johnson was present for a later debate hosted by the BBC which was fielded by Emily Maitlis.

Speaking to activists in London ahead of the first hustings for members in Birmingham, Mr Hunt said he would be willing to walk away from the EU without a deal, but would do so with a "heavy heart" because of the risks involved.

He also refused to give a deadline for Brexit, because parliament could block a no-deal.

He said: "I am prepared to walk away. I've always said that if the only way to deliver Brexit was to leave without a deal then that's what I'd do.

"But I'd do it with a heavy heart because of the risk to our businesses and the risk to our Union, but in the end I would do it for the simple reason that we are one of the oldest, most robust, most famous democracies in the world."

He added: "The world is looking at us and they know which way the country voted and they are looking to see whether the political establishment has the guts to do what it's told.

"In this country we are country where people like me do what people like you tell us to do and we should be proud of that fact."

A recent survey by the ConservativeHome website, polling Tory party members, found Mr Johnson remained the clear front runner.

He was the preferred next leader by 62% of those asked, compared to 11% for Mr Gove.

In a head-to-head choice between the pair, Mr Johnson beat Mr Hunt by 72% to 26%.

Earlier on Friday, police were called out to the home of Mr Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds after neighbours reportedly heard a loud altercation involving screaming.