BORIS Johnson’s allies are plotting to rig the leadership contest by ‘lending’ votes to rival Jeremy Hunt – MPs claimed yesterday.

In an extraordinary allegation, senior Tories told The Sun that MPs on Boris’ books were desperate for their man to face off against the struggling Foreign Secretary – to avoid Michael Gove.

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One Tory told The Sun: “MPs on Boris’ team are looking at lending Jeremy votes.

“Boris has so much headroom he can be a master manipulator. It’s like something out of 1930s Chicago. And given it’s a secret ballot there’s no way of stopping it.”

Another said: “There’s talk of 15 MPs going across.”

Boris got a staggering 114 votes in last week’s first round of voting – more than his three closest competitors combined.

His supporters believe he could climb towards 150 in today’s second round after picking up support from Health Secretary Matt Hancock, arch Eurosceptic Esther McVey and their respective followers.

Such a result would hand him almost 50 per cent of the parliamentary party.

What happens next in the Tory leadership race? June 18: Second ballot of MPs, open 3pm-5pm; any candidate with fewer than 33 votes eliminated - all remaining candidates invited to take part in live debate on BBC One, starting at 8pm June 19: Third ballot, open 3pm-5pm; candidate with fewest votes eliminated June 20: Fourth ballot (if needed), open 10am-12pm; candidate with fewest votes eliminated - any further ballots needed will also take place on this day June 22: Final two candidates take part in first members' hustings, set to take place in Birmingham July 8: Tory bosses send out postal votes to all party activists July 22: Result announced this week - new Prime Minister takes over in time for Commons recess

He has so much headroom he can be a master manipulator.

But MPs claim ‘Team Boris’ are also desperate to prop up Jeremy Hunt, as they believe their man can “wipe the floor” with the Foreign Secretary when it comes to the run-off between the final two.

Mr Hunt only received 43 votes in last week’s first round – narrowly beating Michael Gove into third on 37.

“Jeremy is hated by the arch Brexiteers, who see him as a Remainer,” one MP said.

8 Boris Johnson's allies are allegedly plotting to rig the leadership contest by 'lending' votes to one of his rivals Credit: JONATHAN BRADY

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The Sun Says BORIS Johnson needs an answer tonight for the only question that really matters. How will you ensure Brexit happens on October 31, as you have promised? Brussels and Labour are interested only in blocking and sabotage. The EU currently refuses to improve the deal or fix the backstop. Labour, with Remainer Tories and their puppet Speaker ­Bercow, aim to prevent No Deal. What then, Boris? If the answer is an election — in the hope of exposing Labour, winning back Brexit Party voters and securing a Tory majority — our apparent Prime Minister-in-waiting had better admit it. If his answer is more delay, likewise. A fudge won’t work. Everyone can see the problem. He hasn’t even got the job yet, but Boris’s first big test comes on TV later.

“And the ultra-Remainers don’t trust him because of his reincarnation as a Brexiteer. Boris would eat him alive if it went to the membership.”

The MP added: “Michael is viewed as a far more formidable rival. They’re both true Brexiteers and they know each other well from Vote Leave.”

A senior source in the Boris campaign last night insisted the idea of lending votes was “insane” and “crazy”. But they noted: “What members do in the privacy of the voting booth is clearly up to them.”

And a Minister on a rival campaign conceded: “I’m not surprised. It’s what I would do if I was them.”

BOJO'S NO SHOW

All five other remaining leadership contenders again stuck the boot into frontrunner Boris Johnson yesterday for ducking yet another public grilling following his ‘no show’ in Channel 4’s leadership debate on Sunday night.

The former Foreign Secretary was the only one to refuse to come to a hustings in front of Westminster journalists yesterday morning.

8 Senior Tory MPs claim Boris' backers will vote for Jeremy Hunt in order to avoid an ultimate face-off between Boris and Michael Gove Credit: Getty

8 One MP says 'Michael is viewed as a far more formidable rival' as he is a fellow Brexiteer Credit: PA:Press Association

8 Boris' allies are also said to be concerned by the growing competition from Rory Stewart Credit: PA:Press Association

8 Home Secretary Sajid Javid believes he's the best candidate to take on favourite Boris Credit: Getty

His spokesman insisted he needed the time to prepare for tomorrow night’s live BBC1 debate – the first he will take part in.

But Jeremy Hunt mocked the mop haired former London mayor by invoking his political idol to “summon up some Churchillian courage and come along too”.

And when Mr Hunt was asked whether Boris’ gaffe was to blame for Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe still being in prison in Iran, he added: “Everyone makes mistakes.”

Michael Gove also stuck the knife into Boris’ no show, saying: “These hustings without Boris are like Hamlet without the prince.

“Of course we all know what happened in the play. Hamlet didn’t become king.”

Meanwhile Sajid Javid also took a swipe with the introductory jibe: “I’m big enough to be here myself.”

The Home Secretary said he did trust Boris, but in another dig at his rocky period in charge of the Foreign Office, Mr Javid added that if he became PM: “I might not give him Foreign Secretary.”

These hustings without Boris are like Hamlet without the prince. Of course we all know what happened in the play. Hamlet didn’t become king. Michael Gove

He separately added: “I’m the best person to take on Boris. My background is different and my time in Government is ‘very’ different.”

Brexit ‘hardman’ Dominic Raab accused Boris of stealing his ideas on Brexit and how to replace the controversial Irish ‘backstop’.

He said: “You need to ask Boris, scrutinise him very carefully, why he’s adopted my proposals.”

Boris did turn up to a 15 minute Q&A with Tory MPs late yesterday afternoon.

He once more insisted Britain could deliver a super-fast Brexit by turbo-charging plans for ‘alternative arrangements’ on the Irish border.

But he was roughed up by MPs over how the Conservatives would win back Lib Dem seats or appeal to younger female voters.

Simon Hoare, the new chair of the Northern Ireland Committee – and part of Sajid Javid’s team – asked Boris how he expected loyalty from colleagues when he had proven himself disloyal to Theresa May.

One MP said: “He spoke a bit but didn’t answer.”

After the hustings, Gavin Williamson, ex-Defence Secretary and key Boris lieutenant, praised his appearance: “It was a commanding performance.

“I think everyone felt confident that there was a man who had the vision, the belief, in delivering for both the party and the country.”

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But Claire Perry, Energy Minister, took to social media to criticise Mr Johnson for appearing to run from confrontation, saying he usually wasn’t “frightened of much”.

She said: “I’m surprised he’s following the Gavin Williamson submarine and dark arts strategy at a time when we are desperate for honesty and truth.”

Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd added: “It would be good to see more of him.”

Last night Nigel Farage vowed to reject any offer of forming an electoral pact with the Tories - because he doesn't "trust" them to deliver Brexit.

He confirmed that "a couple" of Tory donors had asked him about the prospect of forming an agreement not to stand in Tory-Labour marginals in return for Tories not standing in certain Brexit Party target seats.

But he told the Daily Express that his Brexit Party's support in a General Election was "not up for grabs".

8 Boris' supporters think he could climb towards 150 votes in the second round after picking up support from Matt Hancock and Esther McVey Credit: PA:Press Association

Channel 4 leave podium empty for Boris Johnson and invite Conservative candidate to join live debate