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BORIS Johnson was today accused of hiding from the public by refusing to do debates or interviews.

Leadership rival Rory Stewart blasted the Tory frontrunner for his strategy of keeping his head down and avoiding any opportunity for gaffes.

 Boris Johnson pictured with a Tory activist yesterday
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Boris Johnson pictured with a Tory activist yesterdayCredit: Andrew Parsons

BoJo has refused to take part in tonight's Channel 4 debate, which all five other candidates have signed up to.

He's also the only potential leader who hasn't done a single TV or newspaper interview this weekend.

And he is refusing to attend a hustings event with journalists tomorrow - unlike all his rivals.

Today Mr Stewart hit out at Boris and accused him of trying to dodge scrutiny from the media and public.

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "How is Boris going to deliver Brexit? He keeps saying, 'I am going to deliver it.'

"I don't even know what he believes. He won't talk to me. He won't talk to you. He won't talk to the public.

"We want to know what he believes. The real problem with politics is a problem of trust.

"Nobody has had the chance to question him and as soon as you question him and as soon as I sit down with him and ask the big question - How are you going to deliver Brexit? How are you going to get a No Deal through? - then it begins to come off the rails."

He also said he'd refuse to serve in a Cabinet led by Mr Johnson.

Mr Stewart said later: "I'm not going to apologise for ruffling feathers or calling people out. We are choosing a serious leader for a serious country."

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Boris has signed up to a BBC debate on Tuesday - hours after the second leadership ballot.

That event will feature all the candidates still in the race by then - likely to be Mr Johnson, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove and one or two others.

Mr Stewart, Sajid Javid and Dominic Raab are all desperate to find the 33 votes they need to make it through to Wednesday's third ballot.

 Rory Stewart hit out at Boris Johnson
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Rory Stewart hit out at Boris JohnsonCredit: Reuters

Timetable of Tory leadership election which will pick new PM

June 7: Theresa May stood down as party leader but will continue as PM until her successor is elected

June 10: Nominations for the leadership closed with ten candidates entering the race

June 13: First ballot of MPs; three candidates (Leadsom, Harper and McVey) eliminated

June 14: Matt Hancock drops out

June 16: All candidates invited to take part in live debate on Channel 4, starting at 6.30pm

June 18: Second ballot, open 3pm-5pm; any candidate with fewer than 33 votes eliminated - all remaining candidates invited to take part in live debate on BBC One, starting at 8pm

June 19: Third ballot (if needed), open 3pm-5pm; candidate with fewest votes eliminated

June 20: Fourth ballot (if needed), open 10am-12pm; candidate with fewest votes eliminated - any further ballots needed will also take place on this day

June 22: Final two candidates take part in first members' hustings, set to take place in Birmingham

July 8: Tory bosses send out postal votes to all party activists

July 22: Result announced this week, in time for Commons recess to begin



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