Boris Johnson has lost his second attempt to trigger an early general election in his sixth humiliating Commons defeat since becoming prime minister.

Ahead of parliament being suspended by the government for five weeks, MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit again deprived the prime minister of the required votes for an early poll in the last major showdown of the current session.

Less than a week after his first bid to seek an election was scuppered, Mr Johnson again asked the Commons to vote on a motion to bypass a law setting out that the next vote should not take place until 2022.

Under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, the government must achieve a two-thirds majority to authorise an early general election.

MPs voted by 293 to 47 in favour of the motion, but Mr Johnson failed in reaching the required threshold to trigger an election.

Protesters take to streets after Boris Johnson suspends parliament Show all 11 1 /11 Protesters take to streets after Boris Johnson suspends parliament Protesters take to streets after Boris Johnson suspends parliament Anti Brexit protesters march on Whitehall EPA Protesters take to streets after Boris Johnson suspends parliament Many of the protesters carried placards AP Protesters take to streets after Boris Johnson suspends parliament A demonstrator wears a Boris Johnson mask during a London rally AFP/Getty Images Protesters take to streets after Boris Johnson suspends parliament An anti-Brexit demonstrator wields an EU flag during a London rally. AFP/Getty Images Protesters take to streets after Boris Johnson suspends parliament The protesters also marched to Trafalgar Square, where they blocked traffic AP Protesters take to streets after Boris Johnson suspends parliament John McDonnell addressed crowds in Whitehall. PA Protesters take to streets after Boris Johnson suspends parliament A small group of Brexit supporters attempted to stage a counter protest in central London. AP Protesters take to streets after Boris Johnson suspends parliament Three people were arrested in London, including a woman who sat on the road near Trafalgar Square. AP Protesters take to streets after Boris Johnson suspends parliament In Oxford, locals and students gathered outside Balliol College, Boris Johnson's alma mater, to protest. PA Protesters take to streets after Boris Johnson suspends parliament Thousands of people gather in central Glasgow to protest against the prime minister. AFP/Getty Images Protesters take to streets after Boris Johnson suspends parliament Jeremy Corbyn spoke to protesters in central Glasgow. Getty

It means there will be no public vote in early October, as MPs will not return to the Commons for another five weeks due to Mr Johnson's decision to prorogue parliament on Monday evening.

But an election in November still remains highly likely, as Labour is expected to throw its support behind a public vote if no-deal Brexit is avoided through an extension to the negotiating period from Brussels in mid-October.

Before the vote, however, Mr Johnson insisted he would not "ask for another delay" to Brexit as he taunted Jeremy Corbyn for not backing the election call.

Shouts of "resign" could be heard from opposition MPs, with Mr Johnson continuing: "It's plain from the turbulent reaction of the benches opposite that they simply want another delay and I will not have that.

"I must warn members that their behaviour in thwarting the will of the people is undermining respect for this House in the country.

"If honourable members want a delay, the only proper way to do it is to ask permission from our masters the people, from our masters the voters."