Boris Johnson’s team fumes at Jeremy Hunt’s ‘personal attacks’ after Tory rival’s fight with girlfriend Carrie

JEREMY Hunt's campaign was today accused of using dirty tricks to bring down Boris Johnson.

Backers of the Foreign Secretary were urged to rein in "personal abuse" against the Tory frontrunner in the wake of police being called to Mr Johnson's house.

Jacob Rees-Mogg warned it is "ill advised" to engage in attacking Boris rather than promoting Mr Hunt's own merits - while another MP accused the challenger of launching "blue on blue attacks".

In recent days Mr Hunt has blasted Mr Johnson as a "coward" while an ally dubbed him a "bottler" for refusing to turn up to debates.

Allies of the Foreign Secretary even briefed a newspaper that Boris would be a security risk as PM because of his complex private life.

Mr Johnson's supporters called on Mr Hunt to call off the personal attacks.

Top Brexiteer Mr Rees-Mogg told The Sun: "Ad hominem attacks are usually ill advised."

Ad hominem attacks are usually ill advised

Jacob Rees-Mogg

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke added: "Party members do not want to hear blue on blue attacks. What they want is a party leader that will get us out of the EU by October 31 and be able to beat Jeremy Corbyn in a General Election.

"Everyone knows that Boris Johnson is the one who will deliver. And full credit to Boris for not stooping to negative campaigning."

Zac Goldsmith blasted: "I'm disappointed to see Jeremy Hunt making personal attacks on Boris. It‘s hard to believe party members will be impressed either."

And ex-Cabinet minister Priti Patel told the BBC: "Quite frankly, this has now become very much Remain versus Leave and a personal attack and campaign against Boris, because they can see he can deliver for our country as he delivered in London."

Top Tory commentator Tim Montgomerie warned that Mr Hunt's personal attacks would damage the party by making it more divided.

The Foreign Secretary has come out swinging since he was named as Mr Johnson's last remaining challenger. His odds have shortened since police were called to a row between Boris and girlfriend Carrie Symonds last week.

But Mr Hunt still faces an uphill challenge to overturn Mr Johnson's huge lead and be named PM next month.

A spokesman said the Foreign Secretary had always made it clear BoJo's private life is "irrelevant".

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