While accepting that Boris Johnson is determined to deliver Brexit, I have always assumed that his Government would abide by the same rules that have applied to previous British governments. But events of the last week or so have made me seriously wonder whether that is any longer the case.

I have been astonished to hear ministers talking up the possibility of civil disorder if we do not leave the EU on October 31.

They are consistent with Mr Johnson’s response in the Commons to female Labour MPs who said they had received threats because of Brexit. In effect, he told them the way to stop the threats was to deliver Brexit.

I have been astonished to hear ministers talking up the possibility of civil disorder if we do not leave the EU on October 31, writes DOMINIC GRIEVE

And it is in line with Dominic Cummings’ comment that the Government will leave on October 31 ‘by any means necessary’.

The message coming from Downing Street is we have to leave by October 31 or there will be riots.

My worry is that this is part of an orchestrated script and part of a Government policy to get around the law drafted by Labour MP Hilary Benn and approved by the Commons – with my support – designed to prevent the Prime Minister taking the UK out of the EU next month without a deal.

My suspicion is that they may be planning to use the 2004 Civil Contingencies Act to suspend that law on the grounds that otherwise there will be riots before and afterwards.

What I find most shocking is that ministers seem to be actively promoting this idea to justify invoking the Civil Contingencies Act and declaring a state of emergency.

I realise that I am open to criticism by those who support Brexit and who say my main aim is to stop it.

But however passionately people feel about this, the debate inside and outside Parliament must be conducted in a calm and respectful manner.

And it is in line with Dominic Cummings’ comment that the Government will leave on October 31 ‘by any means necessary’.The message coming from Downing Street is we have to leave by October 31 or there will be riots

Like many MPs at the forefront of this debate, I have received my share of unpleasant threats but, for the most part, I am struck how the majority of people still discuss the matter in moderate terms.

For ministers to indulge in wild talk about civil disorder if they are prevented from taking us out of the EU with no deal on October 31 is appalling – and even worse if it has the sinister ulterior motive of thwarting any attempt by Parliament to stop it happening.

I do not believe the Government could get away it. If they try to overturn the Benn Act, we will go court to stop them and I believe we will win.