Boris Johnson refuses to rule out suspending parliament to force through Brexit He said it would be ‘absolutely crazy’ to call a general election before Brexit was done

Boris Johnson has refused to rule out suspending Parliament in order to drive through Brexit, although he said he was not “attracted” to the idea.

In a digital hustings, the Tory leadership candidate said he thought colleagues were “starting to come together” to ensure a Brexit deal.

But when pressed on a suspension (proroguing Parliament), in order to prevent MPs blocking a No Deal Brexit this Mr Johnson said: “I think the first thing is to recognise that politics has changed since 29 March.

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“I think that colleagues do see that we are facing, not just the Tory Party but also Labour, we are facing an existential threat.

“We all need to get this thing done and we need to move forward and that’s why I think they will want to get Brexit over the line on October 31 and then move forward.”

General election ruled out

He said it would be “absolutely crazy “ to call a general election before Brexit was done.

Fellow contender for leadership Jeremy Hunt also ruled out an election before Brexit.

He said:”If we have an election before we have left the European Union, it doesn’t matter how charismatic a leader you are, we will be thrashed and we will put Corbyn in Downing Street.”

He claimed he was the right man to negotiate a Brexit deal because of his background as an entrepreneur.

EU citizens’ rights

When asked what they would do to unite the UK after Brexit, in the live-streamed event on Wednesday night, Mr Hunt said he “would never allow our union to be broken up” but was short on detail.

While Mr Johnson claimed Brexit done “sensible and effectively” would provide an “opportunity to strengthen the union”.

Both men claimed they would guarantee the rights the three million EU citizens in the UK post Brexit, with Mr Johnson seizing the opportunity to accuse Mr Hunt of jumping onto his bandwagon on the matter.

No ill will

Attempts by host Hannah Vaughan Jones to draw the candidates on their opponents weaknesses were swiftly batted away by both men.



Read More Tory leadership contest: Boris Johnson challenges Jeremy Hunt on Brexit as he vows to pull UK out of the EU by 31 October

The Foreign Secretary said everyone has faults but didn’t want to “demean” the contest by getting personal.

“Never speak ill of a fellow Conservative” Mr Johnson said, a maxim sure to be tested over the next few weeks.