Brexit promises the focus of UK leadership debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt

Foreign minister Hunt accused predecessor of ‘blind optimism’ over leaving the EU, which Johnson insisted had been marred by ‘defeatism’

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Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt during the leadership debate on Tuesday. Photo: Matt Frost/ITV/Reuters

Published: 7:33am, 10 Jul 2019Updated: 4:29pm, 10 Jul 2019

Boris Johnson stood accused on Tuesday of having nothing to offer Britain but “blind optimism” as he and his rival for the premiership clashed over Brexit in a bad-tempered television debate.

Johnson is the runaway front runner to replace Theresa May later this month, wooing voters with a promise to take Britain out of the European Union on October 31 whatever happens.

Journalist Julie Etchingham moderating the debate between the Conservative Party leadership candidates. Photo: Matt Frost/ITV/Reuters

But in their first and only head-to-head debate, his rival Jeremy Hunt accused him of not being honest about the risks of leaving the bloc without a deal with Brussels.

“If we want to make a success of Brexit it’s not about blind optimism, it’s about understanding the details that will get us the deal that’s right for country,” said Hunt, the current foreign minister.

Johnson, a former London mayor who preceded Hunt at the Foreign Office, is known for his rhetoric and jokes but has been accused of having only a vague plan for office.

Brexit promises the focus of UK leadership debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Foreign minister Hunt accused predecessor of ‘blind optimism’ over leaving the EU, which Johnson insisted had been marred by ‘defeatism’

Foreign minister Hunt accused predecessor of ‘blind optimism’ over leaving the EU, which Johnson insisted had been marred by ‘defeatism’