Tory leadership debate - as it happened: Johnson criticised for TV debate absence as rival hits out at 'competition of machismo'
Frontrunner stays away as rivals face questions live on Channel 4
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Conservative leadership favourite Boris Johnson was taunted by rival Jeremy Hunt after failing to appear for a live televised debate.
Mr Hunt and fellow contenders Michael Gove, Dominic Raab, Sajid Javid and Rory Stewart faced questions from host Krishnan Guru-Murthy and a studio audience in the 90-minute Channel 4 broadcast on Sunday evening.
Channel 4 installed an empty podium on the stage in place of Mr Johnson, who declined the invitation.
During the debate, Mr Hunt asked: “Where is Boris? If his team won’t allow him out with five fairly friendly colleagues, how is is he going to deal with 27 European countries?”
The programme also saw some tense exchanges over Mr Raab’s insistence that suspending parliament to force through Brexit should remain on the table.
“I don’t think it is likely but it is not illegal,” he said.
International development secretary Mr Stewart warned shutting down parliament would “undemocratic” and “deeply disturbing”, while Mr Javid likened the strategy to that of a “dictator”.
Here’s how we covered the debate as it happened.
Would the candidates be happy to work with Nigel Farage to deliver Brexit?
Rory Stewart leaps at the opportunity to point out he offered to do just that on the Brexit Party leader's LBC radio programme earlier today.
A brief skirmish between Rory Stewart and Dominic Raab over tariff rates on cheddar cheese is mercifully nipped in the bud by Krishnan Guru-Murthy.
Sajid Javid says he doesn't "underestimate" Nigel Farage but says delivering Brexit should be the job of the elected government, which the Brexit Party leader is "nowhere near".
Jeremy Hunt also the UK is a tolerant country and Farage is "not the answer", while Michael Gove says: "Brexit is not about one politician's ego trip, it's about bringing this country together."
"You don’t beat the Brexit Party by becoming the Brexit Party," adds Sajid Javid.
Next question from the audience: how would you united our divided country?
Javid agrees the country is too divided, speaking about his own experience of being attacked from the the far right and Islamist extremists.
He says his own background, which is "very different" from previous Tory leaders, makes him the right candidate to bring people together.
Raab says he wants a fairer society, not just a fairer economy".
He promises to cut taxes for the lowest paid, promote house-building, apprenticeships, and give people "a stake" in society.
Hunt says we must consider the young and abolish illiteracy, while Gove says many of those who voted for Brexit come from undervalued communities.
"There’s a treasure in the heart of every man and woman," Gove says.
Change UK leader leader Anna Soubry is not impressed with her former Conservative colleagues:
The candidates have been asked about their non-Brexit priorities.
Raab says he wants to improve "the opportunities for young people" and increase state school standards, offer more choices for young apprenticeships for 14 to 16-year-olds, and create non-graduate routes into professions like law.
Hunt wants to "turbo-charge" the British economy and bolster the social care system.
Gove says children are the priority, particularly those growing up in poverty.
"We need to make sure they have the opportunities that all of us enjoyed," he adds, and says the government should "look at the way in which tuition fees are levied".
Stewart says there are 10,000 things he would like to do as PM, including preparing for technological change, but pressed on his first priority he goes for improving social care.
Javid says public services would be his priority, raising the eyebrows of Guru-Murthy, who suggests people might expect the home secretary to have answered tackling knife crime.
The presenter also notes none of the candidates mentioned climate change as their key concern.
The candidates are asked about their weaknesses.
Gove says his is impatience - he is "a man in a hurry" and wants to get things done.
Guru-Murthy brings up Gove's admission of drug-taking.
"Isn't your weakness hypocrisy?" the presenter asks the former justice secretary.
No, we all make mistakes and must ensure we learn from them, says Gove.
Hunt also steps in to defend him, saying he all did things 25 years ago we wouldn't want our parents to know about.
Raab's weakness is his restlessness for change, he says.
Guru-Murthy asks: What do you say to people who think your biggest weakness is thinking feminists are bigots?
Raab says he should not be judged by something he said a long time ago and which was taken out of context.
Stewart admits he has learned a lot about his weaknesses during his leadership campaign.
"Is it a weakness to change your mind? You seem to do it a lot," asks Guru-Murphy.
Stewart replies: "I think that’s part of the business of being frail. I think that’s part of the business of being human."
Javid says he is stubborn and it takes him too long to change his mind - citing the example of taking 10 years to agree to get a family dog.
Guru-Murthy asks: "Isn’t the problem that you are not a big enough figure? You weren’t a big enough figure to get invited to the Trump dinner."
Javid does not think that was why he was not invited, although he says he does not know the reason.
Both Hunt and Gove protest the question. Gove says it was "ridiculous", adding: "Saj does not need Donald Trump to tell him he is a big figure."
Rory Stewart seems to have impressed people with his frankness about his own weaknesses:
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