The SNP will also need the support of other opposition parties to replace Mr Johnson in a vote of no confidence

The Scottish National Party says it is willing to see Jeremy Corbyn become temporary caretaker prime minister, if it means stopping a no-deal Brexit.

Both Ian Blackford, leader of the SNP in Westminster and Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first Minister, are reported to believe it is the only route to removing Boris Johnson from office and stopping Britain from crashing out of the EU without a deal.

They are hoping that Mr Corbyn will bring about not only a delay to Brexit, but also then hold a general election.

ITV news reported that SNP leaders believe it is ‘too complicated’ to find a national unity candidate at this particular time.

A source told ITV news: ‘Trying to find a compromise candidate, a national unity candidate, is too complicated, especially in the time we have.

‘Whether people like it or not, the temporary prime minister has to be Corbyn.’

However, if the SNP are hoping to replace Boris Johnson with Mr Corbyn, they will need the support of other opposition MPs, with many proving reluctant to entertain the thought of the Labour leader becoming prime minister, even for a few weeks.

Nicola Sturgeon is reported to believe that there is too little time to find a unity candidate (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says he will only back an election once no-deal is off the table (Picture: PA)

Jo Swinson is reported to oppose the idea, along with a number of Conservative MPs.

The 21 Conservative MPs expelled by Mr Johnson for backing a bid to stop a no-deal Brexit are also said to oppose Mr Corbyn entering number 10.

It comes as former prime minister John Major warned that Mr Johnson could use an order of council to delay the Benn Act, the legislation passed by MPs to force the prime minister to seek an extension to the Brexit deadline of October 31, if a deal cannot be agreed with the EU.

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Mr Major warned that the prime minister could use the Privy Council to carry out the move, without involving the Queen.

He said: ‘I should warn the Prime Minister that – if this route is taken – it will be in flagrant defiance of Parliament and utterly disrespectful to the Supreme Court.’