Boris Johnson gains momentum in race for new British PM

News24
10 Jun 2019, 22:13 GMT+10

The list of candidates vying to be Britain's next prime minister will be finalised on Monday following a lively weekend of news, from hard lines on Brexit to some lines they'd rather forget.

Boris Johnson, the front-runner to succeed Prime Minister Theresa May, took a tough stance on Brexit in a Sunday Times interview. He said he would leave the bloc with or without a deal in October if he was in charge, reviving the prospect of no-deal. He also said he would scrap the Irish border backstop and withhold Pound 39 billion owed to the European Union until an agreement is reached.

As Johnson saw his stock rise with the more hardline Brexiteers lining up to back him, Michael Gove's was fading following an unfortunately timed confession. The current environment secretary and former justice secretary admitted to taking cocaine decades ago, prompting accusations of hypocrisy. In an interview with BBC's Andrew Marr, he said it was "a mistake which I profoundly regret." On Brexit, he talked of his plans to renegotiate a deal with the EU.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned against the dangers of a general election that could see a Labour Party victory and said the UK must exit the EU with a deal. He won the support of Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, while Home Secretary Sajid Javid got the backing of Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson.

The nominations for leadership will close at 17:00 UK time on Monday. Candidates need the backing of eight lawmakers to advance to the next stage.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Breaking Property News.

More Information

International Business

Section

Southeast Asian carrier takes delivery of first Dreamliner

NORTH CHARLESTON, South Carolina - The first of eight 787-10 Dreamliner airplanes has been delivered to Vietnam Airlines.The Southeast Asian ...

North Korea Fires More Weapons; Criticizes South Korea

SEOUL - North Korea has launched a fresh round of short-range weapons into the sea off its east coast, South ...

Team SA's first medal at African Games

Rabat - Once the initial emotion of disappointment ebbs, Michaela Whitebooi will realise that this was a silver medal won, ...

Injured Springbok Dyantyi likely to miss World Cup

Pretoria - Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus said on Saturday 2018 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Aphiwe Dyantyi ...

Iran Releases Four Women Arrested For Trying To Watch Men's Soccer

Authorities in Tehran have released four Iranian women from a detention center after they were arrested for allegedly dressing as ...

Dozens Reported Killed, Wounded By Bomb At Kabul Wedding Reception

Afghan officials say dozens of people have been killed or wounded by an explosion inside a wedding hall in Kabul ...

Construction

Section