Contenders to replace Theresa May as Conservative leader have clashed over delivering Brexit during a TV debate.
The MPs argued over whether a new deal could be renegotiated with the EU, and the prospect of a no-deal Brexit.
Boris Johnson came under fire for not taking part in the Channel 4 debate but defended his stance, suggesting it would “be slightly cacophonous”.
His leadership bid has been backed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who dropped out of the race on Friday.
Some of the sharpest exchanges came over whether Parliament should be shut down – prorogued – in order to push through a no-deal Brexit by 31 October – something four of the five candidates argued against.
The UK had been due to leave the EU on 29 March, but EU leaders agreed to delay the date to October after MPs repeatedly rejected Theresa May’s Brexit deal.
International Development Secretary Rory Stewart said proroguing Parliament was a “deeply disturbing” option and Home Secretary Sajid Javid warned “you don’t deliver democracy by trashing our democracy”.
However ex-Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab refused to rule it out, saying “every time one of these candidates take an option away… we weaken our chances of getting the best deal.”
Source: BBC
