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Boris Johnson tonight paved the way for a snap election by issuing a final ultimatum to rebel Tory MPs not to block no-deal Brexit.

In a dramatic statement outside No10, the Prime Minister said he didn't "want" an election - but left a clear void as to what will happen if he doesn't get his way.

He said the word "election" repeatedly - and emphasised that "I" will not ask Brussels to delay the exit date, fuelling talk of a change of leadership.

The PM's statement came after an emergency Cabinet meeting - and hours before MPs are expected to move to block no-deal Brexit.

It is a clear shift in position after Boris Johnson repeatedly insisted there would not be an early election, no matter what.

As crowds roared "stop the coup" in protest outside No10, the Prime Minister claimed Tories who vote against no-deal will "chop the legs out from under the UK position and make any further negotiation absolutely impossible."

He added: "I believe we will get a deal at that crucial [EU] summit in October. A deal that parliament will certainly be able to scrutinise.

"And in the meantime let's let our negotiators get on with their work without that Sword of Damocles over their necks - and without an election. Without an election.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images) (Image: PA) (Image: Sky News)

"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 UK."

He also boasted his Chancellor would still be unveiling an "ambitious" spending round on Wednesday with money for schools and the police. And he defended plans for a Queen's Speech in October despite the loud roars of the activists just feet away.

It came after a day of feverish speculation in Westminster as bookies slashed odds on the prospect of a general election before the October 31 Brexit date.

While the PM invited his new puppy Dilyn and Barbara Windsor into No10, journalists and MPs' phones were ringing off the hook with fears of a snap poll.

The Mirror understands plans were actively under discussion in No10 today for Mr Johnson to call an election, to be held as soon as October 10, if MPs succeeded in blocking or delaying a no-deal Brexit.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images) (Image: WPA Pool)

A Tory source said ministers had been told not to brief any stories to the media today, so Downing Street had a clear run at evening news bulletins.

Staff at Liberal Democrat Headquarters were pulled into an urgent meeting this afternoon to discuss a snap general election. A party source said staff were "being briefed on the roles they will be required to play" in the run up to a poll.

(Image: Chris J Ratcliffe)

The summit came as MPs confirmed plans to seize control of the Commons order paper tomorrow afternoon to force a three-month delay to Brexit.

After nearly a week of talks led by Jeremy Corbyn, rebels confirmed they would table a Bill later this week to ensure the UK cannot crash out without a deal.

Under the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) Bill, the PM would be forced to seek a three-month delay to Brexit on October 19 if Parliament has not yet agreed a Brexit deal - or agreed to leave with no-deal.

That would delay the cliff-edge date for the third time to January 31.

MPs are in a race against time before Boris Johnson prorogues Parliament next week for more than a month.

One MP told the Mirror: "What this Bill will do is, unless Johnson gets a deal at the European Council [on October 17], we will have a three month extension.

"In that even he can either work some more persuading the EU to change the Withdrawal Agreement... or Parliament can then decide what we're going to do next."

In his biggest gamble yet, the Prime Minister demanded Tory rebel MPs back him over no-deal Brexit - or lose the Tory whip and be barred from standing for the party at the next election.

(Image: REUTERS)

But former Justice Secretary David Gauke, former Development Secretary Rory Stewart and other key Tory MPs warned they were prepared to defy the whip anyway.

That would remove the Prime Minister's fragile majority in the Commons - and would likely force him into calling an election anyway.

Cabinet minister Amber Rudd was not expected to resign today despite fighting no-deal Brexit just months ago. But she went public with an attack on her boss - urging him to think again about his slash-and-burn strategy.

She told The Spectator: "I’m really urging the government to think very carefully about taking such a dramatic step."

Any general election can't be triggered by the Prime Minister on his own.

Instead it would need either a no-confidence vote in the government, or a two-thirds majority of MPs back an election in Parliament.

Jeremy Corbyn today said he would back an election being held under any circumstances - despite claims by Tony Blair it was a Tory "elephant trap".

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: WPA Pool)

Asked if he backed an election under any circumstances, Mr Corbyn said: "We want a general election so the people of this country can decide their future." Asked a second time by Sky News off-camera, he replied: "Of course, we are the opposition party, we want a general election."

Yet the Mirror understands top allies of the Labour leader - including Emily Thornberry and John McDonnell - raised concerns that Boris Johnson could deceive them and set an election for November 1.

Speaking after a shadow cabinet meeting in Salford today, one top shadow minister said: "There was a conversation about the 'elephant trap' that Tony Blair has spoken about.

"What we have got to be careful of is that Boris Johnson could come to the Commons seeking a two-thirds majority for dissolution on the promise of a date - and then once he's got the authority and the Queen dissolves Parliament, the date could be changed.

"We will be looking very carefully at what mechanisms are available to us to ensure Boris Johnson can't make a promise to Parliament and then renege on it."

(Image: PA) (Image: Chris J Ratcliffe)

Mr Johnson ignited febrile rumours of an election when he summoned his Cabinet to meet at 4.45pm in Downing Street.

Sources said the Cabinet meeting was to plan for MPs' attempt this week to block no-deal Brexit in Parliament - and how to deal with the fallout.

A Downing Street source said before the meeting: "They will discuss Government's response to MPs seeking to take control of legislative agenda away from Government and handing it to the opposition and Corbyn without the consent of the people."

Mr Johnson was also due to address Tory MPs in the Downing Street garden at a long-arranged party - which Theresa May returned to No10 to attend.

The ex-Prime Minister, on the back benches for the first time in 21 years after being brutally forced out by her party, was seen grimacing at the back door.

(Image: George Cracknell Wright/LNP) (Image: Peter Macdiarmid/LNP)

The Tories' DUP 'allies' were also spotted at the garden party after repeatedly voting down Mrs May's previous Brexit plan.

Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith cut short a Brexit-focused visit to the Irish border after Cabinet ministers were summoned to Downing Street.

Boris Johnson's breakneck countdown to Brexit September 3: Parliament returns after summer break. MPs' chance to vote no confidence in government or block no-deal Brexit

Parliament returns after summer break. MPs' chance to vote no confidence in government or block no-deal Brexit September 4: Chancellor announces Whitehall spending for 2020/21

Chancellor announces Whitehall spending for 2020/21 September 12: Parliament suspended

Parliament suspended September 22-25: Labour Party conference

Labour Party conference September 23-27: Boris Johnson speaks at UN General Assembly in this week and could visit the White House

Boris Johnson speaks at UN General Assembly in this week and could visit the White House September 29 - October 2: Tory Party conference

Tory Party conference October 14: Parliament returns with Queen's Speech - but is then snarled up in a week of debates

Parliament returns with Queen's Speech - but is then snarled up in a week of debates October 17: European Council meeting. The last chance to get a Brexit deal with 27 EU leaders

European Council meeting. The last chance to get a Brexit deal with 27 EU leaders October 21-22: Votes on the Queen's Speech

Votes on the Queen's Speech Final week: Vote on any plan Boris Johnson gets for Brexit

Vote on any plan Boris Johnson gets for Brexit October 31: Brexit happens, with or without a deal

And Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was momentarily kept waiting outside the door of Number 10 as he arrived for this afternoon's Cabinet meeting.

Meanwhile former chancellor Philip Hammond wrote to Mr Johnson demanding answers about his plans for Brexit after the PM abruptly called off a meeting with rebels.

In a series of questions, the ex-Cabinet minister called on Mr Johnson to publish the UK's proposals for changes to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement before Parliament sits on Tuesday and "confirm that these UK proposals have been finally communicated to the European Union".