What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Boris Johnson reportedly plans to shamelessly hold onto his position even if he loses a no confidence vote - by telling the Queen she can't sack him.

The Prime Minister plans to hide behind 70-year-old rules to prevent having to stand down.

According to The Sun , Johnson's team is preparing legal advice for the monarch, claiming his departure would cause chaos.

The economy would suffer as a result, he is set to claim.

The PM's advisors believe the Lascelles Principles - which says the Queen can refuse to dissolve Parlimant if an election would damage the economy or Parliament is still "viable" - can save him.

(Image: PA)

A source told the newspaper: “Boris won’t resign even if he loses a no confidence vote, and it is not within the sovereign’s constitutional powers to make him."

The insider continued: “We said we will deliver Brexit by October 31 by all means necessary and we meant it”.

It comes as Johnson faces mounting calls to quit as Brexit talks with the EU appear to have hit the rocks.

(Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

The Prime Minister is also under pressure to reveal details about his relationship with US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri.

The Lascelles principles were drawn up by Sir Alan Frederick Lascelles, the first Private Secretary to the Queen, in 1950.

Under the principles, the person on the throne can refuse a Prime Minister's request for a general election .

This can happen if they are satisfied Parliament is still "vital, viable and capable of doing its job".

The monarch can also decide a general election would be "detrimental to the national economy".

An election can also be avoided if the Queen feels another Prime Minister could govern for a "reasonable period" with a working majority in the House of Commons.