By James Tapsfield, Political Editor, For Mailonline
Published: 11:21 BST, 10 June 2019 | Updated: 11:26 BST, 10 June 2019
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Dominic Raab swiped at 'unreliable' Tory leadership rivals today as he insisted the UK must not be 'humiliated' by the EU any more.
In a clear jibe at Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, the former Brexit Secretary said he was the only candidate who could be trusted to take the 'bold' action needed to break the deadlock.
He slammed Theresa May for a 'loss of nerve' in the negotiations - and said he would be prepared to face down Parliament if it tried to block No Deal.
The bullish pitch came as the Tory leadership battle hit a new gear, with nominations formally opening.
Front runner Mr Johnson has vowed to get the UK out of the EU by the end of October with or without a deal.
But Mr Raab played on concerns among some MPs that Mr Johnson lacks determination to follow through, saying: ''I'm the Brexiteer you can rely on.'
In a clear jibe at Boris Johnson, former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab (pictured) said he was the only candidate who could be trusted to take the 'bold' action needed to break the deadlock
In a searing assessment of Mrs May's handling of the talks so far, Mr Raab said he would demand the EU backs down on the Irish border backstop.
'We have suffered a loss of nerve,' he told the audience. 'We need new leadership. That leadership needs to be bold.'
Mr Raab also unveiled measures on the environment, which include a National Energy Research Centre to search for new ways to produce cheap clean energy, an increase in the Research and Development Expenditure Credit from 12 per cent to 13 per
