Boris Johnson is facing a mounting political and legal challenge to his efforts to shut down parliament and force Brexit through, with opponents increasingly confident that they have the numbers to block a no-deal outcome in the Commons.

The prime minister declared his intention to “step up the tempo” in the hunt for a Brexit deal with the EU, revealing that UK officials will meet their counterparts in Brussels twice a week throughout September while MPs are locked out of Westminster.

But he was confronted by a growing backlash to his decision to ask the Queen to suspend Commons sittings for five weeks in the run-up to the Brexit deadline of 31 October, with a string of senior Tories speaking out in protest and more than 1.5 million voters signing a petition against the move.

Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Show all 29 1 /29 Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament An anti-Brexit supporter raises a sign during a protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Downing Street Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside of Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament to Downing Street TOPSHOT - Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a protest march from Britain's Houses of Parliament to Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Wednesday that the suspension of parliament would be extended until October 14 -- just two weeks before the UK is set to leave the EU -- enraging anti-Brexit MPs. MPs will return to London later than in recent years, giving pro-EU lawmakers less time than expected to thwart Johnson's Brexit plans before Britain is due to leave the European Union on October 31. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Downing Street Anti-Brexit supporters gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament epa07799808 A protestor outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, Britain, 28 August 2019. The UK government is to suspend Parliament after the summer break, a move that might block MPs from voting against a possible no-deal Brexit.. EPA/WILL OLIVER WILL OLIVER EPA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Whitehall TOPSHOT - Demonstrators hold placards as they protest on Whitehall, near the entrance to Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Protestors from the European Movement in Scotland hold a walking vigil on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, to demonstrate against Prime Minister Boris Johnson temporarily closing down the Commons from the second week of September until October 14 when there will be a Queen's Speech to open a new session of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 28, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire Jane Barlow PA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters shout slogans as they gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament, London, to demonstrate against Prime Minister Boris Johnson temporarily closing down the Commons from the second week of September until October 14 when there will be a Queen's Speech to open a new session of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 28, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire Kirsty O'Connor PA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament epa07799846 Protesters gather outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, Britain, 28 August 2019. The UK government is to suspend Parliament after the summer break, a move that might block MPs from voting against a possible no-deal Brexit. EPA/WILL OLIVER WILL OLIVER EPA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters carry a flare near the Cenotaph in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside of Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside of Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters continue to participate in a late evening protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament London metropolitan police talk with anti-Brexit supporters in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: A Pro-EU supporter raises her fist during a protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images

Three legal actions were under way, with the High Court in London considering an application from campaigner Gina Miller to challenge the PM’s use of prorogation and the Court of Session in Edinburgh due to rule on Friday on a petition from more than 70 cross-party parliamentarians seeking to prevent an “abusive” and “unconstitutional” use of government powers.

Tory grandee Lord Young of Cookham became the first minister to quit Mr Johnson’s administration, declaring himself “very unhappy” with the prorogation move, while Ruth Davidson – who has clashed with the PM over no deal – stepped down as leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

And more than 20 other Tories went public to condemn the suspension of parliament, with Theresa May’s former deputy David Lidington saying he disagreed “very strongly” and ex-chancellor Kenneth Clarke warning that Johnson had “given in to the fanatic element”. Former justice secretary David Gauke said it appeared to be part of a “deliberate strategy” to make the Brexit debate angrier and more divisive.

Opposition leaders have demanded that Mr Johnson reverse his decision to suspend parliament or put it to a Commons vote.

In a joint statement from Labour, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, The Independent Group for Change and the Green Party, the leaders said: “It is our view that there is a majority in the House of Commons that does not support this prorogation, and we demand that the prime minister reverses this decision immediately or allows MPs to vote on whether there should be one.”

The statement went on to say that “there is no mandate from the public for a damaging no-deal Brexit” and “voters are being deprived of the opportunity to have their representatives hold the government to account”.

Sources close to cross-party conversations on stopping a no-deal Brexit said the suspension of parliament had “galvanised” MPs, who are now confident of securing a majority if a vote can be forced and are focusing on the parliamentary tactics to achieve this.

But they acknowledged time was tight, with the session due to end as early as 9 September. Proposals are being developed to enable the House to sit into the evenings and through the weekend to maximise the time available before Mr Johnson shuts the doors.

Jeremy Corbyn said opposition parties were “working together to do everything we can” to pass legislation rapidly next week.

“What we are going to do is try to politically stop him on Tuesday with a parliamentary process in order to legislate to prevent a no-deal Brexit and also to try and prevent him shutting down parliament in this utterly crucial period,” said the Labour leader.

Jeremy Corbyn in Dunfermline yesterday; he said opposition parties were uniting to fight Johnson’s plans (PA)

It is looking increasingly likely that opponents of no-deal will seek an emergency motion immediately after the Commons returns on Tuesday. But this tactic would rely on speaker John Bercow making good on hints that he would permit a binding vote of a kind not normally available under the Commons’ standing order 24 (SO24).

Rebels’ hopes that Mr Bercow will allow them leeway were heightened when he denounced the prorogation as a “constitutional outrage” and insisted it was “vital that our elected parliament has its say”.

In a mark of the pressure already being heaped on the speaker, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, went on the attack, describing his comments as “the most constitutionally improper thing that happened yesterday”.

Dismissing protests as a “candyfloss of outrage” from people who have never wanted to leave the EU, Mr Rees-Mogg said: ”This is the greatest period of anger, of confected anger, because after 31 October we will have left and this is the last time they have available to try and thwart the 17.4 million people who voted to leave.”

BuzzFeed reported that No 10 has been “war-gaming” possible responses to rebel tactics, including creating new bank holidays to prevent the House from being recalled, filibustering any anti-no-deal bill in the Lords or appointing a raft of pro-Brexit peers to kill off any legislation.

But Mr Clarke said he expected Mr Johnson’s “petty dictator stuff” to bring together the “sensible majority” of MPs against him.

And John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, said: “I just give Boris Johnson this warning: Trying to undermine the very institution that people have given their lives for ... flies in the face of a whole history and centuries of democratic advancement in this country.

“I don’t think the British people will tolerate that. They have stood up to dictators before and they will stand up to this one as well.”

The defence secretary, Ben Wallace, was caught on camera apparently contradicting Mr Johnson’s claim that it was “completely untrue” that the suspension of parliament was linked to Brexit.

Talking to his French counterpart Florence Parly at an EU summit in Helsinki, Mr Wallace said that parliament had been “awful” at making clear what it wanted from Brexit, adding: “That’s the reality. So eventually any leader has to, you know, try... I don’t know what the outcome will be.”

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace on prorogued parliament: 'Our system is a winner takes all'

Downing Street later said the cabinet minister had “misspoken” and was not involved in discussions on calling a Queen’s Speech for 14 October.

No 10 revealed that the prime minister’s chief Brexit negotiator, David Frost, agreed on his trip to Brussels on Wednesday that talks will be “intensified” during September, with twice-weekly meetings beginning next week.

But aides conceded that the two sides “remain some distance apart” on key issues including the controversial Irish border backstop, which Mr Johnson insists must be removed.

The prime minister said he was “encouraged” by conversations with European leaders in Berlin, Paris and Biarritz last week to believe a withdrawal deal could be reached.

“I have said right from my first day in office that we are ready to work in an energetic and determined way to get a deal done,” said the prime minister. “While I have been encouraged with my discussions with EU leaders over recent weeks that there is a willingness to talk about alternatives to the anti-democratic backstop, it is now time for both sides to step up the tempo. The increase in meetings and discussions is necessary if are to have a chance of agreeing a deal for when we leave on 31 October, no ifs no buts.”