Brexit: PM hints at snap election – urges Tory MPs to back him

Standing in Downing Street less than an hour ago, Boris Johnson declared that there are no circumstances in which he would ask Brussels to delay Brexit.

He warned Conservative backbench MPs, some of whom were serving in the cabinet until this summer, that if they vote with the opposition for what he said would be “yet another pointless delay”, they would “chop the legs” from under his negotiations with the EU.

He said he didn’t want an election, but he didn’t explain what he would do if he loses in the Commons this week.