LONDON (AP) — U.K. Conservative Party leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt has stepped up his attacks on front-runner Boris Johnson, challenging him to address the reported quarrel with his girlfriend last week that prompted a police visit.

Writing in the Times of London on Monday, Hunt says Johnson needs to earn public trust by facing television debates before the voting takes place among some 160,000 Conservative Party members. The winner of the contest will replace Theresa May as prime minister.

Hunt say that he'll be at a debate set for Tuesday, and told Johnson "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."

Johnson says the public should judge his character from his track record.

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