Summary

  • Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson go head-to-head for the first time on TV

  • Britain's Next Prime Minister: The ITV Debate began at 20:00 BST

  • It is taking place in front of a studio audience of 200 people

  • The winner of the leadership contest and next PM to be revealed on 23 July

  1. Hunt stays on 'entrepreneur' messagepublished at 20:09 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

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  2. Hunt 'keen' to leave EU on October datepublished at 20:09 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

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  3. Will the candidates deliver Brexit by 31 October?published at 20:09 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

    First question from the audience. Tony asks whether the candidates will definitely deliver Brexit by 31 October.

    Mr Hunt says the way the UK gets out by the end of October is to send someone who will be able to negotiate a deal - he says he is the person to do that.

    Mr Johnson says it is "vital" the UK comes out of the EU on that date and insisted he has a four-point plan to deal with the process.

  4. Hunt: 'I am a tough negotiator'published at 20:07 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

    Jeremy Hunt goes second.

    He says he is a tough negotiator and will deliver Brexit.

    "I’ll be the first prime minister to be an entrepreneur," he adds.

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  5. Johnson: 'Get Brexit done'published at 20:06 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

    Boris Johnson begins with his opening statement.

    He says the UK can "continue with same old can-kicking approach or else we can change and get back our mojo".

    He says the way to do that is "get Brexit done by 31 October".

  6. The debate starts with opening statementspublished at 20:04 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

    Boris Johnson and Jeremy HuntImage source, ITV
  7. Debate gets goingpublished at 20:03 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

    This will be the first time the two rivals have gone head-to-head - and they'll do so in front of a live TV audience.

    Mr Hunt and Mr Johnson will face questions from members of the public, including Tory activists, on Brexit and other issues.

    They have been taking part in hustings across the UK but this is the first time they have shared a stage since they became the final two candidates.

  8. Over in the Commonspublished at 19:51 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

    Away from the leadership contest, MPs have just approved the amendment - by one vote - that would require ministers to produce regular reports on the situation in Northern Ireland in the autumn.

    Although this would probably not block the closure of Parliament, it could provide a tool for MPs to block a no-deal Brexit come October.

    The reports on Northern Ireland would have to be debated in Parliament if it was in session, and although the debates themselves might be insignificant, they could provide opportunity for MPs to take control of business.

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  9. Almost showtime...published at 19:45 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

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  10. Will Corbyn's demand come up?published at 19:44 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

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    Labour shifted its position on Brexit today with Jeremy Corbyn demanding the next PM - whether it be Mr Hunt or Mr Johnson - hold a fresh referendum. Will they be asked their views on that call?

  11. Pictures from the campaign trailpublished at 19:40 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

    It looks like the two leadership contenders have had busy days ahead of tonight's debate.

    Boris Johnson toured Manchester Airport's new Terminal 2 extension this afternoon - and it's clearly a thumbs up from him.

    He's promising more investment in transport infrastructure in the north.

    Boris Johnson giving a thumbs upImage source, AFP/Getty Images

    Meanwhile, Jeremy Hunt attended a cabinet meeting this morning - one of Theresa May's last as prime minister.

    Jeremy HuntImage source, PA Media
  12. Labour deputy leader challenges Hunt and Johnsonpublished at 19:30 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

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  13. And from Boris Johnson too...published at 19:26 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

    Boris JohnsonImage source, PA Media

    Both leadership rivals have made it to the studios.

  14. All smiles from Jeremy Huntpublished at 19:24 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

    Jeremy HuntImage source, PA Media

    The foreign secretary has arrived at the studios in Salford.

  15. Foreign policy likely to take centre stagepublished at 19:19 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

    Laura Kuenssberg
    BBC political editor

    Apart from Brexit there's been precious little talk so far in this contest about how Britain will run its affairs with the rest of the world. I think that will all change tonight given the enormous controversy over these leaked emails.

    It's Jeremy Hunt, normally seen as the more cautious of the two men, who's speaking much more plainly and directly to Donald Trump on the matter, while Boris Johnson has said only that he's not embarrassed about being close to the White House.

    It'll be fascinating to see whether or not Mr Johnson is willing to use stiffer language tonight, to follow his rival in rebuking the president.

    More broadly, this is all a reminder of how tricky and sensitive the crucial relationship with the US is, and of the challenge that whoever enters No 10 faces in dealing with a president who seems to love stirring up controversy.

  16. Has Hunt got something up his sleeve?published at 19:13 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

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  17. The stage is setpublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

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  18. Leadership rivals respond to Trump rowpublished at 19:08 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

    Donald TrumpImage source, AFP/Getty Images

    The TV debates comes amid a diplomatic row with US President Donald Trump over leaked emails.

    On Sunday, emails revealed the UK ambassador to the US, Sir Kim Darroch, had called the Trump administration "clumsy and inept".

    Mr Trump responded by calling Sir Kim "a very stupid guy".

    Both candidates have responded to the situation today.

    Foreign Secretary Mr Hunt has said Mr Trump's comments were "disrespectful and wrong to our prime minister and my country".

    While Mr Johnson, a former foreign secretary, said he had a good relationship with the White House and the US "will be and for the foreseeable future our number one political military friend".

    There's more on this story here.

  19. TV leadership debate: One hour to go...published at 19:05 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

    Britain's Next Prime Minister: The ITV Debate starts in an hour's time at 20:00 BST.

    This will be the first time the two leadership rivals Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson are facing each other head-to-head on live TV.

    They will make opening and closing statements in front of a studio audience of 200 people.

    The two men will also face questions from ITV viewers submitted in advance and selected by the broadcaster.

    Expect the ongoing diplomatic row with US President Donald Trump and Brexit, of course, to make an appearance.

    We'll have all the latest here.

  20. Grieve makes case for his amendments to NI billpublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 9 July 2019

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Dominic GrieveImage source, HoC

    Dominic Grieve opens the debate by explaining the rationale behind his amendments.

    Another Tory MP, Steve Brine, asks whether his amendments would stop a future PM suspending Parliament, given that his main amendment was not selected.

    Mr Grieve says he put forward his amendments "as a package", but he thinks it's worth passing the other amendments "in their own right".

    He says MPs could still get a chance to vote on the main amendment - known as New Clause 14 - if the House of Lords decided to add it at a later stage.

    Passing the other amendments would send a "very clear signal" about MPs' priorities, he adds.