Boris Johnson gains momentum in race for new British PM

News24
10 Jun 2019, 22:13 GMT+10

The list of candidates vying to be Britain's next prime minister will be finalised on Monday following a lively weekend of news, from hard lines on Brexit to some lines they'd rather forget.

Boris Johnson, the front-runner to succeed Prime Minister Theresa May, took a tough stance on Brexit in a Sunday Times interview. He said he would leave the bloc with or without a deal in October if he was in charge, reviving the prospect of no-deal. He also said he would scrap the Irish border backstop and withhold Pound 39 billion owed to the European Union until an agreement is reached.

As Johnson saw his stock rise with the more hardline Brexiteers lining up to back him, Michael Gove's was fading following an unfortunately timed confession. The current environment secretary and former justice secretary admitted to taking cocaine decades ago, prompting accusations of hypocrisy. In an interview with BBC's Andrew Marr, he said it was "a mistake which I profoundly regret." On Brexit, he talked of his plans to renegotiate a deal with the EU.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned against the dangers of a general election that could see a Labour Party victory and said the UK must exit the EU with a deal. He won the support of Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, while Home Secretary Sajid Javid got the backing of Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson.

The nominations for leadership will close at 17:00 UK time on Monday. Candidates need the backing of eight lawmakers to advance to the next stage.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Greek Herald.

More Information

International Business

Section

Abu Dhabi and UAE wealth funds reshuffle du holdings

DUBAI, UAE - The United Arab Emirates government's sovereign wealth fund has taken a controlling interest in Dubai telco, du.The ...

Ireland bolstering trade opportunities with Tokyo, Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea - An Irish delegation wrapped up a trade mission to Japan and South Korea, in Seoul on ...

BD chalks up 50th year of manufacturing at Dun Laoghaire

DUBLIN, Ireland - Becton, Dickinson and Company, more commonly known as BD, a leading global medical technology company, marked its 50th anniversary ...

UN gives ultimatum to Yemen rebels over reports of aid theft

The World Food Programme will start to suspend its operations in parts of the country Houthi rebels control as soon ...

A loan, not a gift: Merging business and aid in Afghanistan

Bost University Hospital is only a half-hour drive from Taliban-controlled territory in Afghanistan's restive Helmand province, but it has something ...

Josh Hazlewood is going to really explode: Kurtis Patterson

Melbourne [Australia], June 18 (ANI): Ahead of Australia A's tour of UK, Kurtis Patterson expressed his confidence in his team-mate ...

Mediterranean

Section