UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves Downing Street on October 24. Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has conceded publicly for the first time that he will not deliver on his “do or die” promise that the UK will exit the European Union on October 31.

It’s yet another concession Johnson has had to make, after he did the very thing he said he’d rather be “dead in a ditch” than do: request an extension to article 50.

Johnson told lawmakers tonight that if they backed a general election on December 12th, they’d be allowed more time to scrutinize his Brexit deal. The announcement came just before lawmakers approved the Queen’s Speech — which set out the government’s legislative agenda for this parliamentary session.

Under normal circumstances Johnson would be celebrating, given his agenda was approved without a parliamentary majority. But, instead of popping open the champagne and getting ready to crack on with governing, Johnson is gearing up for an early general election.

Our live coverage is done for the night, but read Luke McGee's analysis of the day's events below.