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A8 WORLD NEWS
Monday 17 June 2019

Boris Johnson skips debate as Tory rivals quizzed on Brexit

By JILL LAWLESS tary, has a commanding
Associated Press lead after last week's first
LONDON (AP) — Candi- round of voting by Tory
dates seeking to beat Bo- lawmakers in the contest
ris Johnson and become to replace Theresa May.
Britain's next prime minister She stepped down as party
accused the Brexit-back- leader earlier this month af-
ing front runner of trying to ter failing to secure Parlia-
avoid scrutiny after he re- ment's backing for her Eu-
fused to take part in a tele- ropean Union divorce deal.
vised debate alongside his An instantly recognizable
five rivals Sunday. figure, famous for his Latin
"Where is Boris?" Foreign quips and unruly blond
Secretary Jeremy Hunt hair, Johnson is admired by
asked as he and four other many Conservatives for his
contenders for Conserva- ability to energize voters.
tive Party leader faced But others mistrust him for
questions about how ex- his long record of mislead-
actly they would fulfill a key ing and false statements,
promise: to unblock the verbal blunders and erratic
stalled Brexit process and A poster is brandished during a public demonstration as Conservative party leadership contender performance in high office.
Rory Stewart arrives at the television studios ahead of a scheduled live television debate for the
lead Britain out of the Euro- Conservative Party leadership candidates, in London, Sunday June 16, 2019. The 313 Tory lawmakers in
pean Union. Associated Press the House of Commons
Broadcaster Channel 4 left are set to narrow the field
an empty lectern on the absent Tory politician lacks: October," Dominic Raab, a minister that families up of candidates in a series
debate stage for Johnson trustworthiness. former Brexit Secretary, ar- and down the country trust of votes this week, with
as the participating candi- "I believe I'm the candidate gued. with their future." the final two names put
dates argued they had a most trusted to get us out Hunt said the Conserva- Johnson, a former London to a postal vote of about
quality that many think the (of the EU) by the end of tives must choose "a prime mayor and foreign secre- 160,000 Conservative
members nationwide.
Extinction Rebellion postpones Heathrow The winner, who will be-
come party leader and
prime minister, is due to be
drone protest plan announced in late July. But
some in the party say the
membership vote could be
Associated Press British Aviation Minister skipped if Johnson is so far
LONDON (AP) — The envi- Charlotte Vere warned ahead that he looks unlike-
ronmental activist group that "using drones to delib- ly to be beaten.
Extinction Rebellion has erately put people's safety Others argue that would
postponed a plan to shut at risk carries a maximum be a big mistake. May be-
down London's Heathrow life sentence." came prime minister in 2016
Airport with drones after it Extinction Rebellion said without a party vote, after
was criticized by politicians the allegation it was willing all her rivals dropped out
and police. to endanger people's lives of the race. Critics say a
The group that demands "is a depressing and pre- more robust contest would
faster action against cli- dictable smear." have exposed her flaws as
mate change said Sunday The group still aims to tar- a leader before she got the
it would "not be carrying get the airport, Europe's top job.
out any actions at Heath- busiest, but said it would Home Secretary Sajid Ja-
In this Thursday, April 25, 2019 file photo, Extinction Rebellion row Airport in June or July not fly drones within flight- vid, who is also running, said
climate change protesters hold up a banner near the Bank of that "as Conservatives, we
England, in the City of London. this year." paths, and would give two should embrace competi-
Associated Press Details of the group's plan months' notice so travelers
were leaked last month. could make other plans.q tion over coronation."q