Tory leadership contest: Boris Johnson agrees to TV debate under intense pressure from rivals, as Matt Hancock bows out of race

Health secretary’s move leaves just six candidates as Channel 4 head-to-head poised to happen without frontrunner

Matt Hancock withdraws from the race to be the next leader of the Conservative Party

Matt Hancock has dropped out of the Tory leadership race amid rumours the remaining contenders will unite to stop Boris Johnson becoming prime minister.

The health secretary announced his decision to withdraw hours after issuing a joint statement with Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove, Dominic Raab, Sajid Javid, and Rory Stewart to compel the frontrunner in taking part in a televised debate before the next vote.

Mr Johnson bowed to pressure to take part in the BBC debate on Tuesday but he signalled he would refuse to take part in the first clash, hosted by Channel 4 on Sunday.

See below for what was our live coverage.

Key Points

• Matt Hancock withdraws from Tory leadership race
• Chuka Umunna lands plum job as he moves to Lib Dems
• Johnson agrees to BBC TV debate amid pressure from rivals
• What would Churchill say? Jeremy Hunt taunts frontrunner
• Conservative Muslim forum chairman compares Johnson to Hitler

[14 June 2019 13:55 · Lizzy Buchan]

Leadership rival Jeremy Hunt is crowing over Boris Johnson's decision to take part in the TV debates.

[14 June 2019 14:07 · Lizzy Buchan]

The well-informed executive editor of Conservative Home has got hold of the dates for the Tory leadership hustings. These will take place once the race has been whittled down to the final two candidates.

[14 June 2019 14:18 · Jane Dalton]

Mr Johnson claimed he could force the EU to deliver a fresh Brexit deal because it is terrified by the “existential threat” of Nigel Farage, saying the solution was to strip the Irish backstop out of the divorce agreement – and that Brussels would give in. 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-boris-johnson-deal-farage-negotiation-tory-leadership-race-a8958876.html

[14 June 2019 14:21 · Lizzy Buchan]

The plight of the Conservatives has been laid bare as a fresh Westminster election poll shows the party in a humiliating fourth position - trailing Nigel Farage's Brexit Party.

The survey, suggesting many Tory MPs are at risk of losing their seats in a snap election, comes as the party's leadership contest rages on, with six candidates remaining in the race to replace Theresa May in Downing Street.

More here:

[14 June 2019 14:25 · Jane Dalton]

Lord Sugar has backed Mr Johnson as the next prime minister, despite having previously suggested he should be jailed for misleading the public over Brexit.

He told Sky he was "delighted" that Mr Johnson looked like he would win the contest, and tweeted that he was backing him only to stop Jeremy Corbyn from winning a general election.

[14 June 2019 15:34 · Jane Dalton]

Of Mr Johnson's refusal to take part in the Channel 4 contenders' debate, a Channel 4 spokesman said: "We are disappointed that Mr Johnson will not be taking part in the debate to face members of the public for full scrutiny alongside the other candidates.

"There will be a lectern available if he changes his mind."