Tory leadership contest: Boris Johnson comes under fire from rivals for rejecting Brexit delay as he breaks cover for TV debate

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Boris Johnson came under fire from his Tory leadership rivals for promising to reject a delay to Brexit as the contenders went head-to-head in a live TV debate.

Mr Johnson warned of the “catastrophic loss of confidence in politics” that would come if the government failed to exit the European Union by the current October 31 deadline.

Speaking alongside his fellow candidates on the BBC debate programme on Tuesday night, the former foreign secretary said the public are "getting thoroughly fed up" with delays to the process.

The front runner in the battle for the Tory crown said: "We have already kicked the can down the road twice and I think the British people are getting thoroughly fed up."

Front runner Boris Johnson went head-to-head with his leadership rivals on Tuesday night
BBC

He added: "Unless we get out on October 31, I think that we will all start to pay a really serious price."

Rory Stewart said it would not be possible to negotiate a new deal by October 31, leaving the existing Withdrawal Agreement as the only way out of the EU. "I would say to all these people on the platform who voted for the deal: take the shock of the European election, let's get on with it, let's vote it through, let's get it done,” he told the programme.

Mr Stewart said he would rule out a no-deal Brexit entirely. He said: "In the end, we're in a room with a door and the door is called Parliament, and I am the only person here trying to find the key to the door.

"Everybody else is staring at the wall shouting 'believe in Britain'."

Home Secretary Sajid Javid agreed with Mr Johnson that it was "fundamental" to get out of the EU by the October deadline and honour the result of the referendum. He said: "We have failed to act on those instructions and it is fundamental that it has to be by October 31."

The five remaining contenders went head-to-head on Tuesday night
BBC

He said: "We have got to learn from our mistakes. One of the mistakes we have made so far is by having this flexible deadline. If you don't have a deadline, you don't concentrate minds, and that also includes the minds of our European friends."

But Jeremy Hunt and Michael Gove said a delay beyond October 31 may be necessary if a deal was within reach.

Mr Hunt said he would walk away without a deal if there was no prospect of agreement by October 31. But "if we were nearly there, then I would take a bit longer,” he added.

Mr Gove said he would be prepared to allow "extra time" if a deal was close. He said he was "upset" and "angry" that Brexit had not yet happened. "Because I started this, I will finish it," he added.

The heated debate comes after Dominic Raab was eliminated from the contest in the second round of votes. Mr Johnson topped the second ballot, confirming his status as the favourite to replace Theresa May in Downing Street.

Mr Johnson secured 126 votes - 80 more than his nearest rival Mr Hunt on 46.

Mr Gove was in third place on 41 votes, while Mr Stewart was on 37.

Candidates needed 33 votes to remain in the race - the exact number picked up by Mr Javid.

They will face further votes on Wednesday and Thursday, which will whittle the field down to a final two.

The final phase will see some 160,000 party members choosing the next prime minister.]

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