A Conservative MP has accused Boris Johnson of putting his life at risk because his “tub-thumping populism” over Brexit has triggered death threats against him.

In an extraordinary criticism, Dominic Grieve said the prime minister was “behaving like a demagogue” – arguing it led directly to “vile” and menacing messages from members of the public.

The former attorney general spoke out after Mr Johnson claimed that MPs fighting a no-deal Brexit had joined in “a terrible collaboration” with Brussels to keep the UK in the EU.

“The rhetoric leads straightforwardly to the death threats which I receive,” Mr Grieve warned.

“And this seems to me that the language he’s using is not that of what I would expect of a Conservative prime minister.

“We have a deeply divided country – I think we have to accept that – and we are not going to resolve this problem by the sort of tub-thumping populism which he’s trying to espouse.

Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Show all 25 1 /25 Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Theresa May took part in her last PMQs Reuters Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded She received a standing ovation as she left. Members of her cabinet and ministers in attendance also handed in their resignations throughout the day including Philip Hammond and Rory Stewart AP Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Theresa May emerged to give a speech outside 10 Downing street. "To serve as PM of the UK is the greatest honour - as I leave Downing Street, my final words are of sincere thanks." She pays tribute to her staff, the armed forces, and the NHS." AFP/Getty Images Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Before she continued with her speech, however, a protestor heckled "Stop Brexit", to which she said: "I think the answer to that is - I think not." AP Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Her husband Philip stood beside her throughout her speech, as well as, one last wave goodbye AFP/Getty Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Theresa May leaves for Buckingham Palace to tender her resignation PA Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded She will do so during her audience with the Queen Reuters Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded 'Best for Britain' and 'Put it to the people' signs awaiting Theresa May's arrival at Buckingham palace Reuters Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Theresa May leaves Buckingham Palace after handing in her resignation Reuters Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Greenpeace protesters attempt to block Boris Johnson's car heading to Buckingham Palace Sky News Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded After the police moved them to one side, two of them ran alongside his car with a banner reading 'climate emergency' Sky News Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded A protester wearing a mask depicting Boris Johnson waits outside Buckingham Palace Reuters Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Queen Elizabeth II welcomes newly elected leader of the Conservative party Boris Johnson during an audience in Buckingham Palace, where she invited him to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Larry the Cat walks past the podium as staff wait outside for the arrival of Boris Johnson Getty Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Boris Johnson, delivers his first speech outside Downing Street Reuters Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded His partner Carrie Symonds watched on as he spoke AP Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Protesters let off smoke bombs at the gates outside 10 Downing Street after Boris Johnson's appointment AP Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded The new Prime Minister is welcomed into 10 Downing Street by staff AP Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded MPs who left the government: Mel Stride, Chris Grayling, James Brokenshire, David Lidington, David Gauke, Rory Stewart and Philip Hammond. (Bottom row left to right) Greg Clark, Damian Hinds, David Mundell, Penny Mordaunt, Liam Fox, Jeremy Hunt and Karen Bradley PA Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Downing Street staff clapped Johnson through the hallways PA Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Priti Patel, who was forced to resign from Theresa May’s government after revelations she had conducted secret meetings with the Israeli government, was brought back into the Cabinet by new prime minister Boris Johnson. Ms Patel, an ardent Leave campaigner will serve as home secretary, replacing Sajid Javid, who in turn will become Chancellor. Ms Patel also famously called for the return of capital punishment as a “deterrent” in 2011 AFP/Getty Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded An anti-Boris Johnson protest was organised in Russell Square on the day he become Prime Minister PA Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Thousands took to the streets to voice their opinions on his appointment PA Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Gavin Williamson, who was sacked from his defence role in May over suspicions he leaked details of Huawei discussions from the National Security Council, was made education secretary AFP/Getty Prime Minister hand over: May out, Johnson in, how the day unfolded Esther McVey, James Cleverly, Alun Cairns, Gavin Williamson, Liz Truss, Sir Mark Sedwill, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Sajid Javid, Amber Rudd, Robert Jenrick, Alister Jack, Nicky Morgan and Rishi Sunak, Mark Spencer, Jacob Rees Mogg, Alok Sharma, Baroness Evans, Andrea Leadsom, Stephen Barclay, Michael Gove,hidden, hidden, Julian Smith, Geoffrey Cox and Oliver Dowden, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds his first Cabinet meeting at Downing Street PA

“He’s behaving like a demagogue, but I don’t think we should be surprised about that, given his track record.”

After accusations such as “collaborator” and “traitor”, MPs “immediately start to receive really vile emails and communications from members of the public, and some of them contain death threats”, Mr Grieve told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland.

“All of us who have been trying to stand up for our principles and for our country are recipients of this,” he added.

On Wednesday, Mr Johnson blamed the “collaboration” for the EU refusing to budge on the rejected divorce deal, “because they still think Brexit can be blocked in parliament”.

“The awful thing is that the longer that goes on the more likely it is of course that we will be forced to leave with a no-deal Brexit,” Mr Johnson claimed.

The comments drew immediate criticism, with some MPs warning of a risk of a repeat of the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox by a right-wing fanatic.

Mr Grieve added: “I want to save the Tory party from the likes of Mr Johnson – he’s hijacking it and taking it in directions which I find extremely worrying.”

He repeated his belief that any caretaker government, if Mr Johnson is toppled in a no-confidence vote, could not be led by Mr Corbyn who was too divisive a figure.

“It’s absolutely vital in those circumstances that there should be high levels of trust in the person who is doing it, and that they are seen as being there in a caretaker capacity with the support cross-party to achieve those goals,” Mr Grieve said.

But the Labour leader continued to insist opponents of a no-deal Brexit should rally behind him to be the stopgap premier, before a general election is called.