Boris Johnson has publicly threatened to ignore parliament if it mandates an extension to Brexit, using a statement outside Downing Street to pledge there were “no circumstances” under which departure would not happen on 31 October.
The prime minister did not, as widely tipped, use the address to promise to seek an election if MPs agree on a bill put together by a crossparty group of backbench rebels seeking to block a no-deal departure by delaying Brexituntil 31 January.
But Johnson fuelled speculation that his government could simply decide not to abide by the bill if it does pass, saying there were “no circumstances in which I will ask Brussels to delay” beyond 31 October.
In a brief statement, at times almost drowned out by boos and chants of “Stop the coup” from protesters beyond the Downing Street gates, Johnson condemned the backbench plan, published shortly beforehand.
The PM said he was “encouraged by the progress we are making” in talks with Brussels on a new deal, but said moves by MPs to block no deal or extend Brexit would weaken the UK’s negotiating stance.
“If there is one thing that can hold us back in these talks it is the sense in Brussels that MPs may find some way to cancel the referendum,” he said, adding that he hoped this would not happen.
“But if they do they will plainly chop the legs out from under the UK position and make any further negotiation absolutely impossible. I want everybody to know – there are no circumstances in which I will ask Brussels to delay. We are leaving on 31 October, no ifs or buts. We will not accept any attempt to go back on our promises or scrub that referendum.”
Claiming parliament would have time to scrutinise any deal, Johnson said that in the interim the UK’s negotiating team should be allowed to work “without that sword of Damocles over their necks, and without an election, which I don’t want and you don’t want”.
It followed an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon before the prime minister addressed Conservative MPs at a No 10 drinks reception.
Tory rebels – who include former ministers such as David Gauke and Philip Hammond – have been warned that those who support the legislation face being expelled from the party and deselected.
