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Perhaps unsurprisingly the question of drugs specifically comes up.

Mr Johnson says the story of when he was 19 - and questions on whether cocaine had "gone up his nose" - had been well covered already.

But without answering the question, he moves on to say: "What most people in this country really want us to focus on in this campaign is what we can do for them.

“All the rest of it, frankly, is in danger of blowing us off track."

Have you broken the law, Mr Johnson is asked.

"I cannot swear that I have always observed a top speed limit of 70mph," he replies.

That question has come up a lot in the campaign so far because of candidate Michael Gove's admission he had taken cocaine in the past.

Asked by Sky's Beth Rigby about his use of language, Mr Johnson says "occasionally some plaster comes off the ceiling as a result of the phrases I use".

But, he adds: "I think it is vital that we, as politicians, remember one of the reasons the public feels alienated from [politicans] as a breed [is because] we are muffling and veiling our language [and] not speaking as we find.

"What they want to hear is what we genuinely think."

He adds: "I am sorry for the offence I have caused, but I will continue to speak as directly as I can."

The ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Laura Kuennsberg asked Mr Johnson about his previous statements, saying he had "suggested Brexit would be a straightforward win-win, but it is a chaotic mess", and that he had "offended people home and abroad" as foreign secretary.

"Can the country trust you?" she asks.

Mr Johnson says yes, and jokes that she had made a "minestrone of observations" but there was "one crouton" in there.

"You think I have been somehow inconsistent in saying I dont want a no-deal outcome, but I think it is right for our great country to prepare.

"I will hit the ground running and engage in friendliest possible way in friends across channel.

"They will have a new government, a new mandate... a new optimism and new confidence and I think the [EU] will respond to that."

Boris Johnson attacks Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for not doing enough to root out anti-Semitism in his party.

He says the "red-tooth, red-clawed socialism of today's Labour Party" has a "total disdain for wealth creation".

He adds that they held "contempt for the normal aspirations of millions to improve their lives".

"We cannot let them anywhere near Downing Street," he says.

Once again referring back to his experience as London Mayor, he says: "I took the city through riots and strikes, and all the teething problems of the Olympics, which was no picnic.

"But, with a team of staff, we brought this city together. We shrank that opportunity gap."

Mr Johnson adds: "To sum up my mission in one sentence, I want - with your help - to do for the whole country what I did for London... healing its divisions."

Mr Johnson says for a "long period" he was "just about the only politician willing to stand up for financial services".

But that determination, he says, shows the "symmetry" at heart of the modern Conservatives.

He said he could "fight for the teachers, the nurses, the farmers and police" because he also will fight for the "tech wizards, shop keepers, and yes, the bankers as well".

Mr Johnson adds: "It is that sizzling synergy that is so fertile in generating further growth."

Mr Johnson's speech does not just focus on Brexit - in fact, he says, he like most people longs for the feeling of "relief" when the country can move on to other things.

He says the UK can "unite" if:

• The government "levels up" and puts in infrastructure "that will lift every region"
• "Ends the injustice of the education funding gap between schools"
• Tackles the "wealth gap and opportunity gap" between different regions

Mr Johnson says he is "not aiming for a no deal", but it must remain on the table.

He said it was "only responsible to prepare vigorously and seriously" for such an outcome.

But, if the UK does not leave the EU on 31 October, "we kick the can again and we kick the bucket."

Speaking about the Brexit referendum campaign, Mr Johnson says the people he met "wanted to be heard".

He said they wanted "to feel too they could be part of the astonishing success of this country" and that "their hopes and dreams are as important" as anyone else's.

Mr Johnson said it was "now is the time to unite this country and unite this society", but added: "We cannot deliver on that until we deliver on... the big thing they asked us to do.

"After three years and two missed deadline we must leave the EU."