Boris urged to be a ‘martyr’ and risk jail by IGNORING Remainers’ Brexit-blocking law
BORIS Johnson has vowed he would rather be "dead in a ditch" than further delaying Brexit.
And while the Prime Minister was dealt a major blow yesterday when the Lords approved legislation blocking a No Deal Brexit, he was encouraged to become a ";martyr" and break the law to get Britain out of the EU.
BoJo wrote to Tory members saying he would not carry out Parliament's instructions to ask for another extension - saying he was only bound "in theory" by the law passed on Friday.
Sources even claimed the new PM would be willing to resign to honour the referendum result vote.
So just what's going to happen?
HOW WOULD BORIS JOHNSON BREAK THE LAW?
The House of Lords passed a bill on Friday effectively blocking a No Deal Brexit, paving the way for it to become law.
The legislation orders Mr Johnson to ask for a Brexit delay until January 31 next year if no agreement has been reached by October 19 and MPs do not back No Deal.
But, , the Prime Minister wrote to Tory members on Friday evening, telling them: "They just passed a law that would force me to beg Brussels for an extension to the Brexit deadline. This is something I will never do."
This means he could either defy the law or, in what would be an extraordinary move, resign as Prime Minister.
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith encouraged Mr Johnson to break the law, saying he would be seen as a Brexit "martyr" if he risked a jail term for breaching Parliament's terms.
If Mr Johnson fails to carry out the will of Parliament, he risks being taken to court and, if a judge ordered him to obey Parliament, he could be held in contempt and even jailed if he refused.
COULD MPs STOP BOJO FROM BREAKING THE LAW?
MPs will return to Parliament on October 14 - just two weeks before Britain is expected to leave the EU.
And while Mr Johnson has suggested he will refuse to delay Brexit, Remainers could oust him in a no confidence motion.
If this motion succeeds, MPs would have two weeks to form a government (if they cannot, an election would be held) and enter into Brexit negotiations with Brussels.
Representatives would then be sent to Brussels, most likely to seek another extension.
The BBC reported on Saturday that cross-party MPs, including expelled Conservatives, had sought legal advice and were preparing to go to court "to compel Mr Johnson to seek a delay".
WOULD BREXIT BE DELAYED IF BOJO QUIT?
Sources have claimed Boris Johnson would be willing to resign rather than extend negotiations with the EU into November.
If he were to stand down, the Queen would ask MPs if anyone else could form a government capable of commanding a majority in the Commons and, if not, there would have to be an election.
The law would still dictate that a Brexit delay must be sought, with an election likely to then be held in November.
In this situation, Remainers are confident Brexit would be delayed.
It comes as Labour and the Scottish nationalists agreed a pact not to allow an election until October 20 at the very earliest.
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IS THERE ANOTHER OPTION?
No10 advisers are in talks to try to find a “third way” — or “any other way” — out of the deadlock.
James Forsyth said Mr Johnson could ask the Queen not to approve the Bill — and dare MPs to bring him down.
Another option is to phrase the demand for an extension in a way that is bound to be refused by EU leaders.
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