Five odd things that happened in the Tory leadership race today
The race to replace Theresa May at Number 10 took a series of bizarre twists as candidates launched their leadership bids.
– Mark Harper was forced to address one of the weightiest issues facing any new prime minister: who would win a fight between a lion and a bear?
At his “ask me anything” launch event, he said: “On the basis that the lion is the symbol of Britain, I’m going to say the lion.”
– Daytime TV star Lorraine Kelly said she was “baffled” by Esther McVey’s claim that she was promoted above her at GMTV and took aim at the presenter-turned-politician’s policy platform, saying: “I strongly disagree with her on LGBT rights.”
– Former Commons leader Andrea Leadsom reignited her feud with Speaker John Bercow, brandishing a sign saying “Bollocks to Bercow” at a lunch in Westminster.
A “Bollocks to Brexit” sticker has been spotted on Mr Bercow’s wife Sally’s car in Westminster.
– Sajid Javid launched a slick promotional video, setting out his personal journey from being the son of a Pakistani immigrant bus driver to holding one of the great offices of state.
But a lot of the focus was on Mr Javid’s pet dog Bailey.
Even political opponents took notice, with Labour’s Darren Jones asking: “Where’s the bit of the video with Saj putting up his personal painting of Margaret Thatcher in his office? I must have been distracted by the cute dog.”
Where’s the bit of the video with Saj putting up his personal painting of Margaret Thatcher in his office? I must have been distracted by the cute dog. https://t.co/S0a9JfbmcW
— Darren Jones MP (@darrenpjones) June 11, 2019
– Bailey was not the only pet on parade – Rory Stewart was seen making friends with his potential new cat, Number 10’s Larry, as the International Development Secretary arrived for Cabinet.