Boris Johnson refused to rule out holding a general election after 31 October to force through a no-deal Brexit if he loses a no-confidence vote in the Commons.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he “would be sending Jeremy Corbyn in a cab to Buckingham Palace to say ‘we’re taking over’”, if the prime minister ignores a vote of no confidence.

MPs opposed to no deal are reportedly considering a move to have parliament sit during conference season in a bid to pass legislation to extend Article 50.

In a Facebook live video broadcast from his office at Number 10, the prime minister announced the government would make changes to immigration rules to attract more scientists from around the world.

His comments came after he visited the Centre for Fusion Energy in Culham, where he was told they were "only a few years away from being able to provide UK-made fusion reactors".

And Scottish Labour sent a warning to Jeremy Corbyn expressing "serious concerns" over deepening splits on the party's stance on independence.