Brexit crisis and conduct claims hit PM's big pitch at Conservative Party Conference

Boris big pitch hit by blow after blow Follow our live updates from the Conservative Party Conference HERE
Boris Johnson leaves his hotel as he prepares to attend the second day of the Conservative Party conference
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Boris Johnson's attempt to set out a general election stall at the Conservative Party conference today was overshadowed by a new Brexit crisis and controversies about his personal behaviour.

In a wobbly start to the conference in Manchester, announcements of new domestic policies and investments totalling tens of billions of pounds were partially eclipsed by both Brexit manoeuvrings in Westminster and scandal.

In keynote speeches, Chancellor Sajid Javid and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson tried to shift the spotlight on to voter-friendly commitments to a strong social justice agenda to help teens from poorer backgrounds and run-down regions thrive.

But back at Westminster, opposition leaders were plotting to seize control over Brexit from No 10.

And in Manchester, MPs and ministers found themselves ambushed during TV and radio appearances with questions about their leader’s behaviour.

No 10 issued a rare public denial that the Prime Minister once groped a journalist’s thigh at a boozy Fleet Street lunch 20 years ago, but continued to stonewall questions about whether he had an affair with a US businesswoman who received public grants.

In other key developments:

  • Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and other opposition party leaders were meeting this afternoon to try to agree a plan to block a no-deal Brexit, with plans ranging from a government of national unity to a new Benn Bill, which rules out a no-deal Brexit.  Amid disagreements over tactics, an insider described the talks as “fluid”.
  • Big-ticket domestic policies unveiled in Manchester included £500 million for youth centres, £25 billion for road improvements, a pledge to boost “overlooked” further education and £2.7 billion to upgrade six hospitals.
  • An exclusive Ipsos MORI poll for the Evening Standard revealed that Mr Johnson has lower prime ministerial ratings than Theresa May enjoyed for most of her term at Downing Street.
  • Former Cabinet minister Amber Rudd indicated that she believes that Charlotte Edwardes, the journalist who accused Mr Johnson of groping her thigh, is “trustworthy”. Another former Cabinet minister, Justine Greening, said allegations about Mr Johnson’s treatment of women were “deeply concerning”. 

In a morning media blitz, Mr Javid claimed that a no-deal Brexit “may well happen” on October 31, despite the so-called Benn Act that is meant to prevent it. He said: “When we get closer to October 31, we’ll set up exactly the form of our exit.”

Asked if he knew the Prime Minister’s plan, he replied: “I think I do.”

Mr Javid was repeatedly asked about the claims by Ms Edwardes that she was touched by Mr Johnson at a lunch for the Spectator magazine in 1999 when he was editor.

In his first interview this morning he appeared to evade questions about the Prime Minister’s conduct, telling Good Morning Britain: “I am not getting drawn into that. If you are asking me, separately, whether a man, whoever they are, should be touching a woman’s knee without her permission, of course not. I think everyone knows that — that is clear.”

In later appearances, Mr Javid defended the PM, saying he believed No 10, which said the incident was “untrue”.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock last night told Channel 4 News: “I know her [Ms Edwardes] and I know her to be trustworthy.” Ms Rudd, who quit the Tory whip over Brexit, later tweeted: “I agree with Matt Hancock.”

Referring to both the alleged affair and claims of thigh-touching, Ms Greening told Sky News: “These are serious allegations and it’s important that they are dealt with appropriately. They are both damaging allegations that need to be dealt with fully by No10.”

She added later: “In a sense they go to the heart of this question about character and integrity of people in public life and what standards the electorate have a right to expect.”

Ms Greening also called on the PM to reveal his Brexit plan to the public.“I find it inconceivable that we can be starting a Conservative Party conference when activists aren’t even being told what the specifics are of the Brexit plan that Mr Johnson has for our country,” she said.

Opposition party leaders planned to meet this afternoon to discuss several plans.

None would respond to requests for comment in advance, indicating they did not have a deal on the table that all could agree.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson was pressing for new cross-party laws to make the Prime Minister seek another Brexit delay as early as this weekend.

The SNP want to bring Mr Johnson down through a confidence vote and install a caretaker premier.

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