The leader of the Scottish Conservatives has attacked Boris Johnson for being vague about job losses in the event of Brexit.
Ruth Davidson quoted the former Mayor of London – who is widely seen as a future Tory leader – as saying there “might or there might not” be job losses after Brexit.
She made the attack during a major EU referendum debate at the Wembley Area in London, paving the way for future animosity between the two top Tories if Mr Johnson leads his party at the UK level.
“He says he can’t guarantee that people won’t lose their jobs … Boris Johnson, asked, said ‘there might or there might not’,” she said
“That is not good enough, that is not good enough."
Mr Johnson, who was also present at the debate, hit back, arguing that the claims amounted to “project fear”.
“They say they want to make a positive and patriotic case – then they’re back to project fear within moments of this debate,” he retoreted.
Ms Davidson responded that “wanting to protect British workers is positive”.
Most economic forecasters have suggested that Brexit would cause an “economic shock”. Vote Leave has dismissed the warnings as “dodgy” and based on “establishment economists”, however.
The European Union referendum will take place on 23 June. The deadline to register to vote has already passed.
