When the audience were asked if they trusted politicians, not a single person said they did
Tory leadership candidates have refused to answer when asked if they thought Boris Johnson is honest or not.
The five remaining candidates were taking part in the first televised leadership debate on Channel 4, when they were asked by Krishnan Guru-Murthy if they thought the Prime Minister was honest.
Kemi Badenoch simply replied “sometimes”, whilst Rishi Sunak said he had tried to give the PM “the benefit of the doubt” during his time as chancellor.
Liz Truss only went as far as admitting that some of Johnson’s statements were not “100 percent accurate.”
And the bookies favourite to win the leadership, Penny Mordaunt said the Prime Minister had “paid the price” for his mistakes.
The only one of the five who gave a straight “no” answer to the question was Tom Tugendhat. He got a round of applause for this.
Is Boris Johnson honest?
The candidates for Conservative party leader and Britain's next Prime Minister give their answer.
Watch now live on 4. #C4LeaderDebate pic.twitter.com/dhalAXgpLD
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) July 15, 2022
Is Boris Johnson an honest man?
Kemi: Sometimes
Penny: Severe issues & he paid price
Rishi: Trust & honesty part of reason I resigned
Liz: He's been clear he made mistakes
Tom: No (gets applause) #C4LeaderDebate— Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) July 15, 2022
The audience for the debate was made up of a group of vetted “swing” voters. When Guru-Murthy turned to them and asked whether them to put their hand up if they trusted politicians, not a single person did.
A show of hands from what you've heard so far.
Do you trust politicians right now?#C4LeaderDebate pic.twitter.com/TRY9jep2eg
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) July 15, 2022
Related links:
- Boris Johnson is begging failed Tory leadership candidates to back ‘anyone but Rishi Sunak’, reports claim
- ‘Every PM needs a willy’: Tory leadership candidate makes trans dig during campaign launch
- This Tory leadership hopeful couldn’t get a single vote – so had to pull out of the race
