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

Conservative leadership bid: Results of first ballot

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.

[16 June 2019 22:16 · Chris Baynes]

Rory Stewart stole the show but may offer "too much honesty for the Conservative Party" on Brexit, writes our political commentator John Rentoul: 

[16 June 2019 22:17 · Chris Baynes]

That's it for our live coverage tonight. The BBC will be televising the second hustings - with Boris Johnson in attendance - on Tuesday, following the next round of the leadership ballot.

Thanks for reading.