Boris Johnson lashes out at Jeremy Corbyn's 'dither and delay' over Brexit as leaders trade barbs in ITV debate

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Boris Johnson has lashed out at Jeremy Corbyn’s “dither and delay” over Brexit as the two leaders clashed in a head-to-head TV debate.

The Prime Minister warned the UK faced further delay to the UK's departure from the EU under a Labour government as the showdown on ITV got under way on Tuesday night.

Mr Johnson and the Labour leader traded barbs over Brexit and the NHS and discussed Prince Andrew's recent television interview in the showdown ahead of the General Election on December 12.

The PM said a vote for the Conservatives would be a vote to finally "get Brexit done". He added: "If you vote for us, we have a deal that is ready to go. Approved by every one of the 635 Conservatives candidates standing at this election."

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn during the Election head-to-head debate
PA

Mr Johnson: "As soon as we can get that deal through Parliament, as we can in the next few weeks, we can get on with the people's priorities.

Mr Corbyn dismissed Mr Johnson's pledge to "get Brexit done" by the end of January as "nonsense" and retorted that he could not deliver on what he was promising.

"That idea that the Prime Minister Boris Johnson' deal can be dealt with and finished by the end of January is such nonsense," he said.

"What he is proposing is a trade deal which will take at least seven years to negotiate whilst at the same time saying he will negotiate a special trade deal with the European Union.

"The two things are actually incompatible."

Mr Johnson accused Mr Corbyn of 'dither and delay' over Brexit 
ITV

Mr Corbyn defended Labour's strategy to negotiate a new deal with the EU within three months of taking office and then put it to voters in a referendum within six months.

However he was taunted by Mr Johnson over his refusal to say which way he would vote, saying: "Are you going to campaign for Leave or Remain?"

The Labour leader hit back accusing him of conducting secret meetings with the US about opening up the NHS to American companies in a future trade deal.

Mr Johnson, however, said the claim was "an absolute invention".

"It is completely untrue. There are no circumstances whatever in which this Government or any Conservative government will put the NHS on the table in any trade negotiation," he said.

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn shake hands during the election head-to-head
PA

On the NHS, Mr Corbyn told the story about a "friend of mine" who died on Monday morning from secondary breast cancer.

He said: "The day before she had gone to hospital at the recommendation of her GP in order to get urgent treatment. She waited eight hours, the nurses that were trying to help her were unable to get anyone to see her because they were under such strain and stress.

"And so she recorded a video saying 'please, in my memory, make sure nobody else goes through this pain'. We've got to fund our NHS properly and fill the vacancies and make sure it's there for all time."

Mr Johnson described the NHS as the "one of the single most beautiful and brilliant things" about Britain, adding: "We are determined to fund it not just now but for the long-term.

The PM later said: "What could be more ruinous for the NHS than a crackpot plan for a four-day week, which would add massively to the burdens not just of the NHS but of every public service in the country?"

Both Mr Corbyn and Mr Johnson said they would invest in public services and increase government spending after the election.

Mr Corbyn said: "We will end austerity, I am absolutely clear about that because it is so brutal on the lives of so many people."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks during the televised debate with Conservative leader Boris Johnson
via REUTERS

The PM said: "I believe in spending, investing massively in our public services because we support ... a dynamic wealth-creating sector."

Asked if the monarchy was fit for purpose, Mr Corbyn replied by saying it “needs a bit of improvement."

Mr Johnson said: "The institution of the monarchy is beyond reproach."

Asked if the Duke of York is fit for purpose, Mr Corbyn said: "Before we discuss Prince Andrew I think we should discuss the victims that are there because of what (Jeffrey) Epstein was doing.

"I think there are very, very serious questions that must be answered and nobody should be above the law, but the primary position ought to be the proper treatment of those people who were victims of the most appalling behaviour by apparently Epstein and many others."

Mr Johnson said "all our sympathies" should be with the victims of Epstein, adding: "The law must certainly take its course."

Asked what foreign world leader he admires most, Mr Johnson said: "I like the EU 27, all of them, because they did me a fantastic deal."

He was shut down as he tried to again ask Mr Corbyn whether he would campaign to Leave or Remain in a second referendum.

On the same question, Mr Corbyn said: "I think the person I admire most in the world at the present time is the general secretary of the United Nations (Antonio) Guterres, he's trying to bring the world together."

In his closing remarks, Mr Corbyn urged viewers to register to vote in a "once-in-a-generation election".

He added: "This is a once-in-a-generation election to end privatisation and give the National Health Service the funding it needs. To give people the final say and get Brexit sorted.

"To tackle the climate emergency that threatens our futures. To invest good jobs in every region and nation of our country.

"I ask that you vote for hope and vote Labour on December 12."

Summarising, Mr Johnson accused Mr Corbyn of being "unfit" to be prime minister.

He added: "Mr Corbyn, you've heard tonight, cannot answer the fundamental questions. Is he for Remain or Leave and what price would he pay to secure Nicola Sturgeon's support to enter Number 10?

"If he can't answer those questions tonight, I don't think he's fit to lead our country."

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