Boris Johnson may open parliament only to close it again to secure a no-deal exit from the European Union

Boris Johnson could use his first Queen’s Speech to shut parliament and prevent MPs blocking a no-deal Brexit, it was claimed last night.

The Tory leadership frontrunner has refused to rule out suspending the Commons to ensure the UK leaves the European Union on October 31.

Parliament usually closes for a week or two before a Queen’s Speech, in which the government sets out its legislative plans. With parliament closed, MPs could not vote against no-deal. Some MPs warned that the move would be a constitutional “outrage”.

Guto Bebb, a former Conservative minister, told Sky News that he believed Mr Johnson’s campaign was “quite seriously contemplating” using a Queen’s Speech to suspend parliament.

However, sources close to Mr Johnson said last night that he