Boris Johnson FINALLY emerges from his bunker to face Tory rivals in BBC TV debate – after Rory Stewart surges in MP vote

• Boris Johnson is facing off against Tory leader rivals in a BBC TV debate as the contest to become PM heats up
• The five contenders in the debate are Mr Johnson, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove, Sajid Javid and Rory Stewart 
• Mr Johnson topped the second round of MPs’ ballot earlier with 126 votes but Mr Stewart surged to get 37 
• Ex-Brexit secretary Dominic Raab was ejected from the contest after receiving just 30 votes from colleagues 
• Former Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom has declared that she is supporting the favourite Mr Johnson  

Boris Johnson finally emerged from his bunker to face Tory rivals in a TV debate tonight – after Rory Stewart’s surge in the latest vote by MPs set the battle on fire.

The former foreign secretary lined up alongside Mr Stewart, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove and Sajid Javid for the hour-long session at the BBC studios in London.

He immediately set out his stall on Brexit, insisting the UK must leave the EU by Halloween. Asked whether he could guarantee the country will be out by the deadline, he said: ‘We must come out in the 31st October because otherwise I am afraid we face a catatrophic loss of confidence in politics.’  

The showdown comes after Mr Johnson cemented his status as the front runner, scooping up 126 votes in the second round. 

However, his tally was only up 12 on the week before – sparking speculation that some MPs might be backing him in public but taking advantage of the secret ballot to help Mr Stewart’s cause. 

After nearly doubling his support to 37, Mr Stewart admitted he had no idea who was in his camp, saying he had been ‘pleasantly surprised’. 

‘Many of these MPs didn’t tell me they were going to vote for me, so I’ve been pleasantly surprised,’ he told reporters outside the BBC studios.

Emily Maitlis is presenting the BBC special tonight, but the format set by the corporation has caused dismay. There is no live studio audience, and questions will be posed by ‘ordinary’ voters from other studios around the country. The candidates are also seated on stools instead of behind podiums.    

The former foreign secretary lined up alongside Mr Stewart, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove and Sajid Javid for the hour-long session at the BBC studios in London

This is the set of the BBC debate where the surviving Tory leadership candidates will face off at 8pm tonight 

Dominic Raab was ejected from the Tory leadership contest tonight as he came bottom of the pile with just 30 votes

Dominic Raab was humiliatingly evicted from the contest earlier tonight with just 30 votes, while Mr Javid sneaked home with 33. The Home Secretary said he would fight on, but there was immediately speculation he might withdraw.

Mr Hunt came second again with 46, but has failed to make much headway since last Tuesday, adding just three votes. Michael Gove also clung on in the race with 41, but again did not make significant progress from the previous 38. 

A strong performance in the debate could open the door for Mr Stewart to overhaul Mr Hunt and finish in the top two as this phase of the contest wraps up on Thursday. 

Mr Johnson’s showing in the vote was also lower than some had forecast, increasing by just 12 over the past week, despite a series of high-profile endorsements. There have been claims some One Nation Tories are backing him in public, but voted for Mr Stewart in the secret ballot. 

Mr Stewart’s spokeswoman said: ‘This is a fantastic result for Rory – almost doubling his vote – with the biggest increase of all the candidates. 

‘This shows his momentum is continuing to build. He can now go all the way to the final 2, giving the clear choice that members deserve.’

Justice Secretary David Gauke, a Rory backer, told Sky News: ‘Rory will run a positive campaign and make the case of why he should be PM. I think it is really important that we have a proper debate.’   

Meanwhile, Mr Hunt tried to put a brave face on his stalled support, describing it as a ‘solid result’. 

‘It shows a steady step forward, which is exactly what we were expecting. It confirms that Jeremy is the best placed candidate to take on Boris,’ a spokesman said.  

Mr Hunt was also taking part in the debate tonight after failing to make substantial gains in the second Tory ballot 

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