Boris Johnson accused of lack of substance on Brexit at Tory hustings

Boris Johnson was criticised by Jeremy Hunt supporters for his lack of detail on Brexit as he faced Tory members.

Speaking during a party leadership hustings in Birmingham, Mr Johnson said Britain must be prepared to leave without an agreement on October 31 – and said that stance would help the country “get the deal we need”.

David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale and a supporter of Mr Hunt, tweeted: “Disappointing from @BorisJohsnon in Birmingham no substance in his answers on how he will leave the EU. Worrying lack of detail in answer to any of the members questions #ConservativeLeadership #HasToBeHunt.”

Greg Hands, another Hunt supporter, said Mr Johnson’s outlook appears to have shifted since the BBC debate.

He tweeted: “Boris’s promo video at the Birmingham hustings repeats the line on Brexit to come out 31st October ‘deal or no deal’. Which is rather different to what he told MPs in the BBC debate that it was only ’eminently feasible’.”

Jacob Rees-Mogg, a supporter of Mr Johnson, tweeted: “An excellent performance from @BorisJohnson at the first hustings. Strong, clear answers and we will leave by 31st October.”

Mr Johnson repeatedly refused to answer questions about police being called to his flat.

The line of questioning saw moderator Iain Dale booed, but Tory MP Vicky Ford felt he was right to ask.

“Well I find myself with @IainDale again,” she tweeted. “He’s right to ask questions that are on people’s minds.”