What the papers say – June 21
The Tory leadership battle between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt dominates the front pages on Friday after Michael Gove was eliminated from the race.
The Daily Mail runs with the headline: “Boris gets his revenge”, and reports that former foreign secretary Mr Johnson was accused of lending the votes of his supporters to Mr Hunt to ensure Mr Gove was ousted.
Friday’s @DailyMailUK#MailFrontPagespic.twitter.com/t8xb3YbDIR
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) June 20, 2019
The Daily Telegraph also runs with the revenge theme and says Mr Gove’s defeat came three years after he was accused of stabbing Mr Johnson in the back by reneging on a deal to manage his leadership campaign, deciding instead to run against him.
Friday’s Daily TELEGRAPH: “Boris exacts his revenge as Gove is squeezed out” #bbcpapers#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/x9nC6AeBHW
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) June 20, 2019
“Revenge is sweet for Boris”, the Daily Express‘s headline says, as the paper says Mr Johnson is now just one step away from Number 10.
Here is tomorrow's @Daily_Express#frontpage:
– Ruthless @BorisJohnson kills off @michaelgove's #ToryLeadership hopes#TomorrowsPapersTodaypic.twitter.com/5feONnk4fM
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) June 20, 2019
The Times describes it as a “dirty battle for No 10”, and reports that Mr Gove lost by just two votes in a final ballot.
Tomorrow's front page :
"Dirty battle for No 10"
Read more here : https://t.co/IJhjz7JyJt#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/M1BYwXGli5
— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) June 20, 2019
The i also runs with the “dirty tricks” theme, while The Guardian questions whether the result was “fixed” as rumours of tactical voting grew.
Friday’s i – “Dirty tricks: Johnson gets revenge on Gove” #bbcpapers#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/vgP3VXGSTb
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) June 20, 2019
Guardian front page, Friday 21 June 2019: It’s Johnson versus Hunt. But was the result fixed? pic.twitter.com/m6fKyphZms
— The Guardian (@guardian) June 20, 2019
Mr Johnson won 160 votes to Mr Hunt’s 77, the Metro says.
Friday’s METRO: “Boris Gets His Revenge” #bbcpapers#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/9jqFeXKUiY
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) June 20, 2019
The Financial Times looks ahead to the ensuing four-week battle between the two remaining candidates, reporting that they will now vie for the support of 160,000 Tory party members.
Front page of the Financial Times UK edition for Friday 21st June 2019 pic.twitter.com/BbdGJXlbbK
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) June 20, 2019
And the Daily Mirror also leads on the two final candidates.
Tomorrow's front page: The liar v the NHS wrecker#tomorrowspaperstodayhttps://t.co/l1GOnzZXAJpic.twitter.com/n3UuS5UCfZ
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) June 20, 2019
Meanwhile, The Sun reports on claims the new Mastermind champion won with a wrong answer.
Tomorrow's front page: 'The BBC was under fire last night amid claims the new Mastermind champion won with a wrong answer' https://t.co/5Qmwf9icfSpic.twitter.com/KqqtUp7Vva
— The Sun (@TheSun) June 20, 2019