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Boris Johnson is threatening to sack rebel Tory MPs who vote to block a No Deal exit from the European Union, it has been claimed.

The Prime Minister is set to prevent Remainer MPs within his party from standing at the next general election should they try to prevent a No Deal next week.

It comes as a group of cross-party group MPs has agreed to work together to delay Brexit, which could come in the form of a no-confidence vote.

Among the rebel Tory MPs thought to be involved include Philip Hammond, 63, and former justice secretary David Gauke, 47, who has said next week may be the only chance for MPs to stop a no-deal Brexit.

Mr Johnson, 55, will treat Commons votes next week as indications of confidence in his government - disqualifying rebel Tory MPs from contesting their seats, according to Sun columnist James Forsyth.

When pressed for comment by MailOnline, Downing Street would not comment on whether Mr Johnson would follow through with his promise, but added: 'The PM hopes that all MPs will support him and recognise the result of the referendum.'

A number of options are being touted by MPs hoping to quell the possibility of a No Deal, including a legal bid in Scotland to prevent the PM from going ahead with proroguing the Houses until a full hearing of the case.

It is one of three separate legal efforts to derail the government's strategy.

And it comes as campaigners plan to cripple 32 cities today in protest against Mr Johnson's controversial decision to suspend parliament. Cities involved include London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Swansea.

Judge Lord Doherty rejected a call for an interim interdict to block the suspension of Parliament yesterday, but said a full hearing would take place on Tuesday.

A court in Northern Ireland has also heard from lawyers representing anti-no-deal campaigners challenging the move and attempt to do the same at the High Court in London is also under way. This has been adjourned until next week.

Mr Johnson (pictured yesterday at Downing Street), 55, will treat Commons votes next week as indications of confidence in his government - disqualifying rebel Tory MPs from contesting their seats, it has been claimed

Among the rebel Tory MPs thought to be involved include Philip Hammond, 63, (left) and former justice secretary David Gauke, 47, (right) who has said next week may be the only chance for MPs to stop a no-deal Brexit

The challenges were launched after the Queen approved Mr Johnson's request for Parliament to be suspended for five weeks from September 10.

The PM said on Wednesday that Parliament had to be prorogued so he could set out his Government's new legislative agenda in a Queen's speech and bring to an end the recording-breaking session which has lasted more than two years.

But MPs and others opposed to Mr Johnson's Brexit strategy have said he is trying to limit their ability to stop the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Mr Johnson's most senior minister on Friday dismissed the furore over the suspension of Parliament as 'nonsense'.

Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State Dominic Raab insisted only around four days of Commons sitting time would be lost in addition to the already-planned party conference break.

He told reporters at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Helsinki: 'The idea this is some kind of constitutional outrage is nonsense.

'It's actually lawful, it's perfectly proper, there is precedent for it and actually, fundamentally, for the people watching this, they want to see that we are leaving the EU but also talking about all the other things they expect us to be addressing.'

A third legal challenge brought by campaigner Gina Miller at the High Court in London 'is being considered', according to a judiciary spokeswoman.

Opposition leaders have issued a rare joint statement demanding Mr Johnson reverses his decision to suspend Parliament or put it to a Commons vote.

Labour, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, The Independent Group for Change and the Green Party said the PM's actions were undemocratic, and had 'the sole aim of stopping MPs from avoiding a no-deal Brexit'.

In a separate letter to his MPs, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn encouraged them to join public protests against a no-deal Brexit.

He said: 'There are also public protests across the country this Saturday, there will be a rally in Parliament Square on Tuesday evening, and I encourage Labour MPs to be present and to share our message.'

Judge Lord Doherty, pictured yesterday, ruled against an interim injunction in the Brexit legal case, but said a full hearing would take place on Tuesday

It followed thousands of people protesting outside Parliament on Wednesday evening, while there were smaller demonstrations in other towns and cities.

Leading rebel Tory David Gauke, a former justice secretary, said next week may be the only chance for MPs to stop a no-deal Brexit.

'I think Parliament does have a responsibility to act and it may well be that next week is the only opportunity for us to do so.'

Mr Johnson faced resignations on Thursday by Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and veteran Tory minister Lord Young, in part due to the Government's approach to leaving the EU.

It comes as Mr Johnson yesterday read the riot act to Remainer rebels today warning they are making a Brexit deal less likely.

He said the frantic efforts by MPs to block No Deal made the EU less likely to compromise on the Withdrawal Agreement.

When deciding whether to give ground, European leaders would have 'at the back of their minds' the idea that Brexit could still be cancelled.

The premier also said failure to leave the EU would have 'catastrophic' consequences for the UK political system.

The stark message, in a round of broadcast interviews, came after Tory rebels confirmed they have been discussing with Speaker John Bercow how they could try to bind the PM's hands.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes questions from young people to coincide with an education announcement at 10 Downing Street yesterday

Tory rebels has said they are discussing with Speaker John Bercow (pictured) how they could try to bind the PM's hands

Mr Bercow interrupted his family holiday in Turkey to issue an extraordinary tirade at Mr Johnson for announcing that Parliament will be prorogued .

Sir John Major also yesterday dramatically threw his weight behind a legal bid to stop Boris Johnson from suspending Parliament in the run-up to Brexit.

The former PM said he was joining a judicial review of the move that is being brought by Gina Miller.

Sir John said it was not acceptable for Mr Johnson to prevent MPs from 'opposing Brexit plans'.

The stage is set for a huge battle next week, with the Opposition and more than a dozen Conservatives joining forces to try to bind the PM's hands.

Meanwhile, the government has signalled it will use all measures possible to ensure the country leaves the bloc on schedule, with or without a deal.

Tory former cabinet minister Oliver Letwin today insisted there was still time to pass legislation that could force the premier to delay the Brexit date, even if Parliament is prorogued for more than a month from the middle of September.

Sir Oliver said he hoped that by the end of next week Mr Johnson would know that he must seek an extension. He also confirmed he had been discussing the options with Speaker John Bercow.

Allies of Mr Bercow have suggested he is on a 'suicide mission', and is ready to bend procedure rules to help Remainer MPs in the fight with the government.

Dublin ramped up Brexit tensions today by again dismissing Mr Johnson's call for the hated backstop to be ditched.

Irish deputy PM Simon Coveney insisted the PM had not offered a 'credible' alternative, and the idea of settling the issue after the UK leaves was 'not going to fly'.

In an apparent attempt to assuage rebel Tories, Downing Street has said the UK's team of Brexit negotiators will sit down with their EU counterparts twice a week during September 'with the possibility of additional technical meetings, to discuss a way forward on securing a new deal'.