The gloves came off in the Tory leadership battle today with Boris Johnson’s campaign chief branding Jeremy Hunt a ‘pushover’.
Iain Duncan Smith jibed that the EU would just ‘laugh’ at Mr Hunt if he threatened to leave with No Deal after warning the consequences would be disastrous.
But ex-Cabinet minister Patrick McLoughlin said the attack showed that Mr Johnson’s team were ‘rattled’, adding: ‘Language like this is no way to unite the party or the country.’
Meanwhile, the race is embroiled in a ‘dirty tricks’ row amid claims the front runner’s campaign has been ‘cold calling’ party members.
Former MP Ben Howlett said he had been contacted and questioned how they obtained his details. A serving MP has also lodged a formal complaint with party chairman Brandon Lewis about the potential data protection breach.
The contest is cranking up a gear as the rivals prepare to take part in hustings in Northern Ireland this morning.
Allies of Boris Johnson (pictured out campaigning in Kent yesterday) sparked fury by threatening to scrap a swathe of Cabinet jobs and departments to save billions of pounds
Jeremy Hunt swiped that Mr Johnson was hiding in the back of the plane they both took to Belfast today
Iain Duncan Smith jibed that the EU would just ‘laugh’ at Mr Hunt if he threatened to leave with No Deal after warning the consequences would be disastrous
The pair are visiting Belfast as they seek to win over party members, and are likely to be quizzed on their proposals to resolve the Irish border issue and remove the controversial backstop.
Mr Hunt has said he believes there is ‘technology there now’ to provide a solution, while Mr Johnson has suggested the backstop issue could be solved during the implementation period.
Speaking on Sky News today, Mr Duncan Smith said: ‘If you do not have a clear point at which you leave the table then you become a pushover for them to put on you their view of life, and if they think you are scared they know in your heart you won’t make that decision to leave on the 31st.’
He added: ‘I would laugh if I was the EU and Jeremy Hunt came over and said we really hate the idea of leaving without a deal, we’re really scared of what happens, but look here we are serious about negotiating.
‘They’d be laughing behind their hands.’
Mr Hunt told Sky News last night that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is willing to look at new Brexit proposals put forward by the next prime minister.
He said: ‘I’ve had a conversation with Angela Merkel and… (she said) ‘of course we will look at any proposals made by a new UK prime minister’, because she wants to solve this problem.
‘And providing we’re sensible, and I think the approach that I’ve laid out is a sensible approach and a fair approach, and I think that it’s in Germany’s interests as well.
‘What she has said is she will look at the package and I think she will look at it with an open mind.’
Former MP Ben Howlett revealed on Twitter that he had been ‘cold called’ by the Johnson campaign and would be complaining to the ICO
Mr Johnson, who rejected an invitation to take part in the interview, told party members during a ‘telephone town hall’ event last night that he was the ‘right guy now to deliver for our party’.
‘We need someone who believes in Brexit and can deliver it,’ he said.
Mr Howlett revealed on Twitter that he had been cold called by the Johnson campaign.
He said: ‘More serious point following random call from team @BorisJohnson HQ – where did he get my data from given #GDPR and that I have never opted in or consented to my data being used – a complaint to the information commissioner @ICONews is in order methinks.’
Tory MP David Morris has written to Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis urging an investigation into the activity.
‘This is a very serious matter and I would like to know how Boris Johnson’s team are apparently cold calling members with a data base that seems to be procured,’ he wrote.
‘If Mr Howlett is stating that he does not know how his data has been leaked it must be assumed that Mr Johnson’s team have a leaked data base.’
Meanwhile, there is another spat between Mr Hunt and Mr Johnson over TV debates.
Mr Hunt said the timing of a BBC showdown between the pair was an ‘absolute joke’ – suggesting Mr Johnson had forced a delay.
‘Just been invited by BBC’s @franunsworth to live TV debate against Boris on 16 July – AFTER around 90% of members have voted,’ Mr Hunt tweeted.
‘Absolute joke to give the appearance of a debate whilst knowing it can have ZERO influence on campaign. Also v disrespectful to members & the public.’
He added: ‘Other broadcasters had the courage to empty chair no shows. What happened to scrutiny without fear or favour at the BBC?
‘Many Beeb journalists will be deeply uncomfortable at this caving to Lynton Crosby. Come on BBC – this is for OUR PRIME MINISTER!’
Mr Hunt and Mr Johnson are likely to face questions on the investigation of Northern Ireland military veterans, as well as their spending pledges.
Over the weekend they both backed calls for increased legal protection for UK troops and veterans.
Meanwhile, former party leader William Hague, who served as leader of the opposition between 1997 and 2001, wrote in the Daily Telegraph both candidates had ‘great merits’, but added that he believed Mr Hunt would make the better Prime Minister.
The idea drew an angry response from Amber Rudd, a supporter of Mr Hunt, who branded them ‘unworkable’.
Boost for Hunt as he wins backing of William Hague – with ex-Tory leader warning the Tories could ‘DIE’ if Johnson becomes PM
Jeremy Hunt was boosted today by backing from former Tory leader William Hague – who warned the party could ‘die’ if Boris Johnson becomes PM.
Lord Hague said ‘logic’ was drawing him to vote for the Foreign Secretary as he had a more thought-out plan for delivering Brexit.
The peer insisted the result of Mr Johnson trying to force his will on Parliament would likely be a Corbyn government, which would be the worst possible outcome.
The intervention came as allies of Mr Hunt claim that he has the momentum as the contest cranks up a gear.
Ballot papers will be issued to Conservative Party members from later this week, with hustings coming thick and fast – and a critical TV debate happening next Tuesday.
Lord Hague, who was Tory leader between 1997 and 2001, said he and other members were facing a ‘decision made more difficult by the knowledge that if we collectively get this wrong there will probably be no further time to correct it’.
Lord Hague (pictured on ITV’s Peston show this summer) said ‘logic’ was drawing him to vote for the Foreign Secretary as he had a more thought-out plan for delivering Brexit