PM says he does not want election.

Johnson’s hand could be forced if cross-party EU withdrawal Bill to stop no-deal is passed in House of Commons

Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night ruled out calling a snap election, saying “I don’t want one”.

Despite his protestations, however, that he would not ask for an extension to the Brexit deadline, a general election could be called by October 14, according to a Downing Street source, if a Bill from a group of cross-party MPs is passed in the House of Commons.

The group of MPs, made up of Labour, Green and the SNP, is expected to submit its own European Union withdrawal Bill which would prevent the UK leaving the EU without a deal on October 31, unless parliament gives its consent.

It would also seek to extend Article 50 until January 31 2020.

MPs were set to return to Westminster today following the summer recess.

A number of Conservative MPs, who have been threatened with the removal of the party-whip, have said they would put “country first”, defy the prime minister and vote against leaving without a deal.

Former chancellor Philip Hammond and ex-justice secretary David Gauke are among senior Tories who have put their names to cross-party legislation that the group hopes can be pushed through the Commons this week.

If MPs agree today to allow the cross-party group to seize control of Commons business, the legislation will be considered tomorrow.

Mr Johnson gave a statement last night on the steps of Number 10 in which he said: “I don’t want an election, you don’t want (an election)” before accusing those attempting to stop a no-deal Brexit as holding the “sword of Damocles” over the country.

It came as Tory MPs enjoyed a reception in the gardens of Downing Street – after having first been ordered to hand in their phones.

Mr Johnson said: “I don’t want an election, you don’t want an election.

“Let’s get on with the people’s agenda. Fighting crime, improving the NHS, boosting schools, cutting the cost of living, unlocking talent and opportunity across the entire United Kingdom.

“I say, to show our friends in Brussels that we are united in our purpose, MPs should vote with the government against Corbyn’s pointless delay.

“I want everybody to know there are no circumstances in which I will ask Brussels to delay. We are leaving on October 31, no ifs or buts.”

Stephen Gethins, North East Fife MP and Europe spokesperson for the SNP, said a no-deal Brexit would have a lasting negative impact across Tayside and Fife.

A co-signer of the Bill, he said: “It is crucial we work across party lines to offset the calamity of a no-deal Brexit.

“I believe I have a responsibility to my constituents, who will be badly effected by this Tory government’s Brexit plans, to work with the cross-party group across parliament to take no-deal off the table.

“Boris Johnson’s plans would have a lasting impact on individuals and industry across Tayside and Fife.

“That is why it is important for us to pull together to stop the Tories.”

Labour MP and chairman of the Brexit select committee Hilary Benn said: “The Bill gives the government time either to reach a new agreement with the European Union at the European Council meeting next month or to seek parliament’s specific consent to leave the EU without a deal.

“If neither of these two conditions have been met by October 19 – the day after the European Council meeting concludes – then the prime minister must send a letter to the president of the European Council requesting an Article 50 extension until January 31 2020.

“If the European Council agrees to an extension, then the prime minister must immediately accept that extension.

“If the European Council proposes an extension to a different date then the prime minister must accept that extension within two days, unless the House of Commons rejects it.

“The Bill has cross-party support from MPs who believe the consequences of no-deal for the economy and the country would be highly damaging. No-deal is not in the national interest.”

The British public are becoming used to the sight of a lectern being set up outside 10 Downing Street before the address’s incumbent emerges to say absolutely nothing of substance from behind its protective barrier.

Theresa May became a master of the pointless address to the nation and Boris Johnson appears to have picked up where she left off.

After an afternoon of feverish speculation that the issue of Brexit would finally be put to the people through a general election, the prime minister delivered a speech reiterating points made for months, if not years.

Mr Johnson still thinks he is playing high stakes poker — that the EU will buckle at the last moment and fold, leaving Ireland at the table alone to make the best of a British engineered sting.

Such an outcome seems no more likely than it did when the extension to Article 50 was first agreed.

As such, it seems the prime minister was merely delaying the inevitable by failing to call a general election.

Even the most fervent of Brexiteers must recognise the rule of law and the no-deal exit they seem to increasingly prefer is unlikely to pass parliamentary scrutiny.

Mr Johnson claimed he does not want a general election — and he is surely right to say few have the appetite for yet more division.

After yesterday, it may not be his choice to make.

Pictures: PA/Getty. Clockwise, from top: Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes his address outside 10 Downing Street; Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn; former prime minister Tony Blair.