Jeremy Hunt last night demanded Boris Johnson come clean about his late-night clash with his girlfriend.
The Foreign Secretary said his leadership rival must explain why police were called to Carrie Symonds' flat in the early hours of Friday.
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, who is backing Mr Hunt, also said Mr Johnson should answer questions to stop the issue becoming a 'distraction'.
Jeremy Hunt last night demanded Boris Johnson come clean about his late-night clash with his girlfriend
Mr Johnson remained tight-lipped at a hustings for party members in Birmingham over the weekend.
Asked about his rival's silence, Mr Hunt told Sky News: 'Someone who wants to be prime minister should answer questions on everything.'
Mr Hunt said his opponent appeared cowardly, willing to 'slink through the back door' of No 10 and avoid public debate. 'One of the strengths of our system is that we scrutinise our politicians with more intelligent ferocity than anywhere else in the world. But in this case it just isn't happening,' he told The Times.
'Nothing could be worse for a new prime minister in these challenging times than to come to power with a fake contest. I am not interested in debating Boris's private life. But I do want to quiz him on how he can 'guarantee' we will leave the EU on October 31 if Parliament votes to stop a No Deal Brexit, as it did in March.
'I want to know what he really means by 'reviewing' HS2 or his 'grave reservations' about the third runway – surely he has had long enough to decide what he thinks?
'Don't be a coward Boris, man up and show the nation you can cope with the intense scrutiny the most difficult job in the country will involve.'
Mr Hunt said his opponent appeared cowardly, willing to 'slink through the back door' of No 10 and avoid public debate. 'One of the strengths of our system is that we scrutinise our politicians with more intelligent ferocity than anywhere else in the world. But in this case it just isn't happening,' he told The Times. Pictured: Boris and Carrie together in 2012
Mr Fox told the BBC: 'I think it is always easier to just give an explanation. It is inevitable there is a focus on private lives. That does not concern me. What I am concerned about are the issues.'
Tory grandee Sir Malcolm Rifkind said: 'If
