Toby Young on Sky Press Preview claiming that Boris will declare for Brexit

[Collymollypuff]

Appaz based on what Robert Peston said on ITV News at 10.45, Young phoned a Brexit source and had it confirmed.

Sky Press Preview's repeated at 1.30am if you're interested...I don't work for Sky, honest, only I am addicted to its Press Preview, and am also a total news junkie. Young is saying Boris will wait till after the Marr Show to declare, although may also have an exclusivity deal with the Telegraph, for whom he writes a highly-paid column. Anyhoo, we live in interesting times, don't we? Consequences for Tory leadership contest...

[BillSykesDog]

The political editor on ITV News at Ten said the same thing, that he will declare tomorrow for Brexit.

[prh47bridge]

The Sunday Times, under a headline "Cameron declares war on rebels" (which is not in any way born out by the article) tells us that No. 10 is in a "last ditch bid to woo Boris". If No. 10 is briefing by the normal rules that means Boris has already agreed to back Remain.

It may be Peston and Young are right but there may equally be some wishful thinking going on. We should know later today apparently.

In terms of the leadership contest, it is difficult to be sure at this stage but I suspect sitting on the fence has damaged Boris. It makes it look like his decision is a calculation about what is best for him.

[AuntieStella]

BBC article from 30mins ago.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35624409

It's stil, describing his as 'conflicted' and tipping slightly towards him favouring Brexit. Formal announcement expected later today.

In his capacity as London mayor, he'll have to take account of what messages are coming from business leaders and The City. And I'm not sure there is a clear message.

[JosiePye]

Boris will do whatever he thinks is best for his own political future. It has been reported before that he would naturally lean towards staying in the EU, but if he suspects that a Brexit campaign could be successful then he would put himself in that camp so as to position himself in opposition to Osborne in a potential leadership campaign. If he thinks supporting Cameron might reward him with a plum cabinet post then he will align himself with the stay camp.His declared position will likely have little to do with his own personal views or what he feels is best for the country, but whatever will give him the best outcome.

[redshoeblueshoe]

Josie, I totally agree with you. Boris will do what's best for Boris. I think he will opt to leave, then bid to become party leader.

[OttiliaVonBCup]

Of course he will.

is that Robert Peston annoying when he speaks though

[redshoeblueshoe]

yes he is and that bloody jacket is awful

[Wordsaremything]

Pesto is great - and a sad loss to the bbc. I miss hearing his...unusual...delivery on r 4. Always comes across as a thoroughly good egg. Was widowed not very long ago.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I really like Peston, Im missing him from the BBC.

[ChasingPavements]

Really like Peston and I agree he's a big loss to the BBC. I saw him present a little while ago and he was great.

[Collymollypuff]

Brave of Peston to lead on that story. I hope it pays off for him, for his sake. I'd put money on Boris going for Brexit because they are braying for a big beast figurehead. And Boris is that - Farage, only a bit better.

[redshoeblueshoe]

You do know you can actually watch Pesto on ITV

[meditrina]

The BBC now says it 'understands' he will campaign for out.

Why the fuck can't they wait until they actually know what his position is going to be?

They can have their story all written, and press 'go' when it's actually happened.

Not post yet more speculation, no matter how well-sourced.

Poor show, Beeb. Poor standards.

[eddiemairswife]

Am I the only person who can't stand Boris Johnson? He seems to be an utterly selfish creature who only cares about himself, and doesn't mind who he tramples underfoot to achieve his aim, whether it's to be the next PM or to bed the next willing female.

[Collymollypuff]

I wouldn't question that for a minute, MrsMair. Nor are most of the pundits.

Meditrina, it's being said he has to wait for his highly paid column in the Telegraph on Monday to be an exclusive before declaring. So I think the rest of the meeja are thinking he's fair game, on that basis. Because everyone knows already.

[redshoeblueshoe]

eddiemair I can't stand him either.

[Collymollypuff]

There was a vacancy for a big beast to lead Brexit and he's taken it. Move over, Cameron. God, imagine Boris in No. 10 and Trump in the White House...doesn't bear thinking about.

[meditrina]

Collymollypuff: it can't be that. He spoke to reporters on the record this afternoon, no waiting for the Telegraph.

So no, not 'fair game' as it might have been if they were trying to scoop the newspaper. Simple low standards, by not waiting (as other outlets were able to do) a very short interval until the announcement. After all, they'd got their speculation piece out there from much earlier in the day. No need for multiple pieces of speculation. (I still expect good standards from the Beeb, heaven knows why these days).

[Collymollypuff]

I don't think they could wait, when ITV and then Sky had already announced it.

[meditrina]

I didn't see SKY, but thought ITV only updated their story once he'd spoken to reporters, and chose not to have a series of speculative articles. Did I miss fresh speculation from them some time after 3ish, but before the on-the-record version?

[Collymollypuff]

ITV's Peston broke it first at 10.45pm on Sat. Toby Young on Sky (see thread title) confirmed.

[Fangs4themammaries]

Trump in the Whitehouse, Boris in No.10, Anna Lee head of NUS. It'll be the 1930's all over again.

[SpringingIntoAction]

I have never understood why people think Boris is pro-EU. I used to read his column from Brussels when he was the Daily Telegraph's EU correspondent. He was scathing about it. His books are also scathing about the EU - he claimed in one in 2008 that "Europe would never work". He noted during the Kosovo crisis that the EU could never fix any problems.

You only need to read Boris' biography of Churchill to realise that there was no way Boris could back Dave's dodgy deal. The problem is that politicians like Dave don't understand sovereignty. Dave's just a PR man - give him something, anything to sell and he'll prostitute himself to do it.

Boris is 'old school'. Someone who understands that the EU is undemocratic and that MPs have no right to give away our freedom to an undemocratic organisation like the EU. This is something you cannot compromise on. Sovereignty is freedom itself.

Like him or loath him, he has had the courage of his convictions to challenge this snake-oil deal of Cameron's that is asking us to vote on something that the EU could later change. I have no problem if Boris does eventually be PM as he has the interests of this country at heart. He has also set himself a difficult challenge - win this referendum or his political career is over, unlike Javid who just said he himself was a Eurosceptic at heart but felt we should stay in.