Boris Johnson faces a showdown in Parliament after he vowed to push for a snap general election if rebel MPs succeed in a bid to seize control of parliamentary proceedings.

Parliament returns this afternoon after recess, with MPs looking to take control of Commons business to allow them to discuss proposed legislation to block a no-deal Brexit.

Addressing the nation outside Number 10, the Prime Minister insisted “I don’t want an election, you don’t want an election” but moments later a senior Government source said any bid to “wreck” the UK’s negotiating position would prompt a motion for an early election.

The source said Mr Johnson would request a general election on October 14 if the move was successful.

A motion for the snap poll would be tabled by the Government which would require the support of two-thirds of MPs under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FTPA).

Ex-justice secretary David Gauke, who is among the senior Tories who have put their name to the cross-party legislation, said if MPs did not act then Britain would leave without a deal on October 31.

But the source said the Government’s motion on an early general election would be published before MPs vote on Tuesday so MPs would know the consequences of voting against the Government.