盟友变敌人：戈夫踩鲍里斯上位 迫使其退选

Boris Johnson's allies warned there is a 'deep pit in Hell' waiting for Michael Gove tonight after the Justice Secretary stabbed his fellow Brexit champion in the back saying he was not up to being Prime Minister.

英国司法部长迈克尔•戈夫背后中伤其同僚英国脱欧派领袖鲍里斯•约翰逊，说他无法胜任首相一职。此后鲍里斯•约翰逊的盟友警告称，今晚有一个“地狱深坑”在等着戈夫。

Mr Gove delivered a brutal verdict on Mr Johnson's capabilities and questioned whether his 'heart and soul' were in taking us out of the EU, effectively ending his hopes of succeeding David Cameron, as he announced his own bid for Downing Street.

宣布竞选英国首相时，戈夫发表了一通对鲍里斯能力的无情结论，质疑他的“内心和灵魂”是否正带着我们离开欧盟，这一言论有效地完结了鲍里斯接替戴维•卡梅伦的希望。

Damning his friend with faint praise, Mr Gove said he had 'enjoyed working with him' during the referendum campaign. But he said: 'I realised in the last few days that Boris isn't capable of building that team and providing that unity.

戈夫对自己的朋友明褒暗贬，说自己“在公投活动期间喜欢与他一起工作。”但他说：“在过去的几天里我意识到，鲍里斯无法建设团队，让团队上下一心。

'And so I came reluctantly but firmly to the conclusion that as someone who had argued from the beginning that we should leave the European Union and as someone who wanted ensure that a bold, positive vision for our future was implemented, that I had to stand for leadership of the Conservative party.'

“我一开始就认为英国应该离开欧盟，并想确保英国勇敢、积极地朝着未来迈进，所以虽有些无可奈何但我最后还是得出了这个坚定的结论：我必须站出来争取保守党领袖一职。”

He added: 'I thought it was right that following the decision that the people took last week that we should have someone leading the Conservative party and leading the country who believed in their heart and soul that Britain was better off outside the European Union.'

他补充说：“我认为坚持人们上周做出的决定是正确的，我们应该有一个全心全意地相信英国脱欧后会更好的领袖来领导保守党和国家。”

As the blows rained down on Mr Johnson this morning, key backers Nick Boles and Dominic Raab defected to Mr Gove's campaign and arch-rival Theresa May won support from Leader of the House Chris Grayling - another Brexit champion.

当今天上午雨点般的攻击落在鲍里斯身上时，鲍里斯的核心支持者尼克•博尔斯和多米尼克•拉布投奔了戈夫的竞选阵营，而劲敌特丽莎•梅赢得了另一个英国脱欧拥护者、众议院领袖克里斯•格雷林的支持。

Within hours Mr Johnson, who had been the hot favourite, was using an event that had been intended as his campaign launch to rule himself out.

几个小时内，原是热门候选人的鲍里斯，用一件本打算用来开启竞选之门的事件，将自己从候选人队伍中排除出去。

Tory MP Jake Berry posted on Twitter: 'There is a very deep pit reserved in Hell for such as he. #Gove'

保守党议员杰克•贝瑞在推特上说：“对于戈夫这样的人，地狱里为其留了一个非常深的坑。”

The Conservatives' ruling 1922 committee has confirmed that the candidates are Mrs May, Mr Gove, Treasury minister Andrea Leadsom, Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb and ex-defence secretary Liam Fox.

保守党当权的1922年委员会确定的候选人有特丽莎•梅、迈克尔•戈夫、财政部长安德列•里森、退休保障部部长史蒂芬•科拉布和前国防部长利亚姆•福克斯。

Mr Johnson saved his shock withdrawal for the end of a lengthy valedictory speech in which he stressed his achievements in City Hall and urged the UK to look towards a brighter future outside of the EU.

鲍里斯在冗长的告别演说结尾宣布了他让人震惊的退出。他在演说中强调了自己在伦敦市政厅的成就，鼓励英国人民去展望脱欧后更加光明的未来。

Mr Gove had been expected to play a key role in Mr Johnson's campaign after the pair worked hand in glove to deliver victory for Brexit in the historic referendum. He has repeatedly ruled out making a bid for Downing Street in the past - including memorably offering to record his denial in blood on a parchment.

在鲍里斯和戈夫合力促成英国历史性的脱欧公投结果之后，人们一度以为戈夫将在鲍里斯的竞选活动中发挥关键作用。过去戈夫曾多次否认自己竞选首相的可能性，有一次差点要在羊皮纸上用血书写自己不参加竞选的决心，让人印象深刻。

Vocabulary

damn with faint praise: 明褒实贬

heart and soul: 全心全意地

defect: 变节；叛变

arch-rival: 主要竞争对手；劲敌

valedictory: 告别的

hand in glove: 合作；亲密地