Brexit news: Boris Johnson warned chancellor could join Tory rebellion to scupper his no-deal plans as Jeremy Hunt vows to rip up backstop

Live updates from Westminster, as they happened

What does a no-deal Brexit mean?

Boris Johnson has suffered a blow to his campaign for the Tory crown after party grandee William Hague backed his rival Jeremy Hunt.

The former Conservative leader warned that Mr Johnson's Brexit strategy could destroy the party, saying his pledge to leave the EU by 31 October on a "do or die" basis had cost him a vote, as 'do and then die' could very easily be the outcome".

Both Tory leadership hopefuls faced pressure over Brexit at a hustings in Belfast as the contest enters its final weeks.

To follow events as they unfolded, see our live coverage below

Key Points

• Tory leadership rivals endure Brexit grilling at Northern Ireland hustings
• William Hague throws his weight behind Jeremy Hunt over Brexit plans
• Johnson and Hunt accused of duping public with 'extraordinary' spending pledges
• Blow for MPs hoping to stop no-deal Brexit as Bercow stops Commons showdown
• No10 rejects demands for independent probe into civil service briefing over Corbyn's health

[2 July 2019 08:29 · Lizzy Buchan]

Welcome to The Independent's politics liveblog, with all latest updates from Westminster throughout the day.

Here is today's front page, with our story on criticism of spending plans by Tory leadership rivals.

[2 July 2019 08:45 · Lizzy Buchan]

Tory leadership hopefuls Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt will face a grilling over their Brexit plans at a hustings in Northern Ireland this morning.

The pair will visit Belfast as part of their quest to win over party members, who will decide the next Conservative leader.

The session will undoubtedly focus on their proposals to resolve the Irish border issue and remove the controversial backstop.

[2 July 2019 08:59 · Lizzy Buchan]

Boris Johnson's campaign has suffered a blow after Tory grandee William Hague threw his weight behind his rival.

Lord Hague, a former Tory leader, said that Mr Johnson's pledge for Britain to leave the EU by 31 October on a "do or die" basis had cost him a vote.

"In doing so, however much I wish him well if he is elected, he has lost my vote, because 'do and then die' could very easily be the outcome", he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

"Both men have great merits. But asked to weigh who might make the better prime minister, and have the best chance of avoiding calamity over Brexit, I come to a clear conclusion.

"I will mark my ballot for Jeremy Hunt."

[2 July 2019 09:19 · Lizzy Buchan]

Jeremy Hunt has toughened his talk on Brexit in a bid to keep up with Boris Johnson in the race for the Tory crown.

In a dramatic ramping up of his Brexit threats, the foreign secretary pledged a comprehensive no-deal plan by the end of August, with all civil service leave cancelled.

[2 July 2019 09:32 · Lizzy Buchan]

Team Boris has dismissed reports that Mr Johnson is planning to shrink the size of the cabinet by merging Whitehall departments.

Justice, Business, Culture, International Trade, Work and Pensions, Transport, and Brexit could all be axed or merged with other departments under plans being championed by members of Mr Johnson’s team, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Supporters include Dominic Raab, the former Brexit secretary, Andrea Leadsom, the former leader of the house, Chris Heaton-Harris, the former Brexit minister, Liz Truss, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and Priti Patel, the former international development secretary.

A campaign source told The Independent it was "absolute nonsense".

[2 July 2019 09:44 · Lizzy Buchan]

Another story making waves today. Jeremy Corbyn has written to the head of the civil service, calling for a speedy and thorough probe into civil service leaks over his fitness to govern.

Labour is furious about reports in The Times at the weekend that senior civil servants were concerned that Mr Corbyn was 'too frail' to be PM.

Sir Mark Sedwill, the cabinet secretary, has agreed to meet the Labour leader to discuss the reports, which Theresa May branded 'unacceptable' yesterday.

[2 July 2019 10:02 · Lizzy Buchan]

Over in Brussels, Nigel Farage and his Brexit Party MEPs have turned their backs while the European anthem Ode to Joy is played.

Sure to go down well with the EU...

[2 July 2019 10:23 · Lizzy Buchan]

The leadership contest is hotting up, with both camps turning fire on each other. Iain Duncan Smith, who is working with camp Boris, has criticised Jeremy Hunt for saying a no-deal Brexit would be scary.

[2 July 2019 10:44 · Lizzy Buchan]

What have Johnson and Hunt promised on taxes and spending and where would the money come from? Our business editor Olesya Dmitricova has run the rule over their pledges.

[2 July 2019 11:04 · Lizzy Buchan]

The Commons sits at 11.30 today, with Treasury Questions first up. Philip Hammond, the chancellor, will likely have a dig at the extraordinary financial pledges from both leadership hopefules.

There will also be a ministerial statement on problem gambling and an urgent question on protests in Hong Kong, according to the Labour whips office.