Boris Johnson news – live: PM to call October general election if rebel MPs vote to block no-deal

SNP MP Stephen Gethins has said his party would back a general election called by Boris Johnson –but that he doesn’t trust the prime minister and it must be before 31 October.

He told the BBC: “Yes bring on a general election, but let’s have the date before that no-deal Brexit.

“I don’t trust Boris as far as I can throw him, and even then I’d throw him a bit further away still.

“Not only does he not know what he’s doing and that’s why we’re in this mess, but he’s utterly untrustworthy as well.”

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has said MPs need to show “a little bit of steel and discipline” this week.

Speaking on a visit to a primary school in Bromley, southeast London, he told the Press Association: “I think that what people need to do is show a little bit of steel and a little bit of discipline.

“We all got elected as Members of Parliament as Conservatives to deliver on Britain’s exit from the European Union, and we all stood on that same manifesto saying that we would do so.

“We need to make sure that the prime minister has the very best hand when he goes to Europe, as he has been doing, to negotiate for a deal that will pass through parliament.

(REUTERS/Henry Nicholls) 

“And Theresa May’s deal quite clearly would not pass through parliament so we need to get something that means that it will do.

“The shenanigans that are going on and the talk of people working with Labour in order to frustrate those negotiations I don’t think do anyone any benefit.

“So I hope this week, what we’ll see is all Conservative MPs rallying behind the prime minister, making sure he has the best possibility of delivering a deal with the European Union and ensuring that we can get that through parliament before the 31 October, which I am confident we can do.”

Ministers are arriving at Number 10 for this afternoon’s cabinet meeting.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab, who was momentarily kept waiting outside the door to Number 10, did not respond to questions of whether there is going to be a general election.

Minister for the Northern Powerhouse Jake Berry arrived soon after.

Justice secretary Robert Buckland QC was driven straight up to the doors of Number 10 and entered without making a comment.

He was followed soon after by Home Office minister (security) Brandon Lewis, who also arrived by car.

Robert Jenrick, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, has also arrived at Downing Street, closely followed by international development secretary Alok Sharma.

Asked if there was going to be an election, Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg told reporters outside: “You always know more than I do.”

Cabinet ministers will reportedly be told a draft legal text on the Northern Ireland plan “has been drawn up and ready to be introduced”, according to Sky News deputy political editor Sam Coates.

However he added: “But a source says draft legal text is just the existing protocol with the relevant articles on the backstop crossed out – not exactly a worked up plan.”

Sky News has reportedly seen a leaked document containing details on what ministers are expected to be told at a meeting today.

Health secretary Matt Hancock asked reporters as he arrived at Number 10: “How are you?”

Environment secretary Theresa Villiers made no comment going in.

Defence secretary Ben Wallace, transport secretary Grant Shapps, culture secretary Nicky Morgan and education secretary Gavin Williamson arrived in quick succession, but also gave no comment.

The prime minister’s brother Jo Johnson, who attends cabinet as a BEIS minister, has also arrived in Downing Street.

Work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd smiled but gave no comment as she arrived.

Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay and Cabinet Office minister James Cleverly also went in.

Tory MP and former deputy speaker Nigel Evans shouted: “Bring it on” to the waiting media.

Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith cut short a visit to the Irish border today after cabinet ministers were summoned to Downing Street.

Mr Smith was in Newry on Monday morning where he heard about Brexit concerns from police commanders during an extensive briefing session at a local station.

He was then due to visit a meat processing plant in the city but the engagement was cancelled at the last minute because of developments in London.

Labour’s shadow attorney general Shami Chakrabarti is said to have written to attorney general Geoffrey Cox ahead of today’s cabinet meeting asking him to “remind ministers of their obligation under the ministerial code” to “comply with the law and to protect the integrity of public life”.

She said: “It’s astonishing that the government would even consider flouting the law and the ministerial code to push ahead with a no-deal Brexit.

“Respecting the rule of law is a fundamental pillar of our democracy and integral to the success of the UK - nobody is above the law - not even the government.

“I look forward to a speedy clarification from the attorney general on this matter.”

Ms Chakrabarti’s comments came after Tory minister Michael Gove refused to say on The Andrew Marr Show whether the government would follow legislation that would stop a no-deal Brexit.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson this morning said it was normal for a government to wait to see how any new legislation would impact Brexit negotiations.