Plot to force out Boris Johnson and install Corbyn as PM to wreck Brexit could be launched on Monday

A REBEL plot to force out Boris Johnson and install Jeremy Corbyn as PM could happen as soon as Monday, a senior SNP MP has claimed today.

The Labour leader has been cooking up a stitch-up to stop Brexit behind closed doors with the Scottish Nationalists - and a key figure said they will launch their bid this week.

5

5

They hope to topple Bojo by getting MPs to vote to say they have no confidence in him as a leader.

Corbyn would then be shuffled in as a "caretaker" PM, despite Labour not winning an election, with the sole purpose of delaying Brexit.

Former deputy leader of the SNP Stewart Hosie today called on colleagues to get behind the Labour leader, saying getting rid of Boris is the "only" way to avoid a No Deal Brexit come October 31.

Speaking to BBC R4's Today programme, Mr Hosie said there are growing concerns that Mr Johnson could circumvent the "Benn Act" - legislation that blocks a No Deal.

Backing a vote of no confidence, Mr Hosie said: "We have to do that because there is now no confidence that the prime minister will obey the law and seek the extension that Parliament voted for only a few weeks ago programme.

"If we are serious about the extension that is the only game in town."

Speaking separately to BBC Radio Scotland, he indicated a vote could take place as early as Monday or Tuesday.

STURGEON'S RALLYING CRY

Downing Street has warned the UK and Brexit would be "sold down the river" if Remainers dared to carry out such a plot.

The PM has vowed to deliver Brexit on October 31 no matter what - despite a law which was passed saying he would have to seek a delay if he couldn't get a deal.

Mr Hosie's comments come after SNP boss Nicola Sturgeon hinted she could back Corbyn by becoming a caretaker Prime Minister.

She said on Friday: "VONC (Vote of No Confidence), opposition unites around someone for sole purpose of securing an extension, and then immediate general election.

"Nothing is risk-free but leaving Johnson in post to force through No Deal - or even a bad deal - seems like a terrible idea for me."

She insisted she was “no great fan of Jeremy Corbyn”.

But she added: “The point I’m making is not really about who it should be — I’m open-minded on that — more that the opposition needs to unite behind a plan and act.”

No10 warned an SNP-Labour pact would “sell the UK down the river”.

A source added: “The public don’t want to see these backroom deals — they want to see Parliament held to account at an election.”

'A FOOL'S ERRAND'

Mr Corbyn’s route to No10 depends on Mr Johnson losing a no-confidence vote.

He would then become PM - only to block No Deal before going to the polls.

But he would still need the support of the 18 Lib Dem MPs and 20 Tory rebel MPs.

The Liberal Democrats have said an "emergency government" could be necessary, but said MPs would not be able to support Corbyn even as a temporary leader.

Mr Hosie said: "If another name came forward that was acceptable to everybody, a Ken Clarke or Dominic Grieve-type figure, then self-evidently that would be a good thing to do." he said.

"But it is also self-evidently the case that the second largest party (Labour) should have the first chance to form that administration.

"If Jo Swinson and the Lib Dems are actually serious about their stopping Brexit position then they need to stop playing political games, get on board with everybody else."

A Downing Street source said the intervention showed Labour had done a deal to hold a second Scottish independence in return for being propped up in power.

A senior SNP source close to the leadership Robert Peston: "It is increasingly clear that we will have to install a new prime minister via a vote of no confidence, so that we can request a delay to Brexit and hold an election.

"The convention is absolutely clear that it is the leader of the opposition - in this case Jeremy Corbyn - who should become Prime Minister in those circumstances.

"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."

5

MOVE COULD COME AFTER NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE

Last week the party's Westminster leader Ian Blackford suggested the party wouldn't be opposed to putting the leftie Labour boss in No10.

Asked on Radio 4's Today programme if he’d back the Labour leader to succeed Mr Johnson after a successful no-confidence vote, he said: "I'm less concerned about the individual. I think it is fair to say that, in such a scenario, the official leader of the Opposition is the first point of contact as far as that is concerned.

"But we are only talking about putting someone in place in order to call an election. On that basis, I wouldn't be opposed to that."

He tweeted: "We are facing someone that will stop at nothing. We need to take the keys of number 10 from him."

NO DEAL BLOCKERS

However, the two parties would have to get the Liberal Democrats or other MPs on board to help push a vote of no confidence in Boris over the line, and to get enough MPs together to form a temporary coalition.

At the moment there is little prospect of Lib Dem boss Jo Swinson agreeing to put Corbyn into No10.

Some of the 34 independent MPs may be willing to get them across the line - but most of them are former Tories and unlikely to back them.

Only with the help of them are they likely to succeed.

Under the plans Mr Corbyn would then seek an extension to Brexit, and then call an election.

Last night opposition parties including Labour, the SNP, Lib Dems, Greens and Plaid Cymru met again to discuss how to stop a No Deal Brexit.

They agreed that they wouldn't vote for an election unless there was a lock preventing a No Deal.

The parties will look at "all parliamentary mechanisms" they can and would meet again on Monday.

We remain open to all options to achieve the aim of stopping a No Deal Brexit and getting rid of Boris Johnson

SNP spokesman

An SNP spokesperson said on Friday: "It is now possible - if the political will is there - that parties could come together to ensure that the letter to secure an extension is not left in the hands of Boris Johnson and his cronies, who are determined to find a way to get around the Benn Act, but is instead sent by a temporary caretaker prime minister, who would be in office only as long as is necessary to send the letter, with an election held immediately afterwards.

"We remain open to all options to achieve the aim of stopping a No Deal Brexit and getting rid of Boris Johnson."

A Labour source commented: "It might have to come out of the box.

"It's the simplest and most democratic way to stop No Deal. It would be strictly time-limited government to stop no deal."

MPs across the divide don't trust that Boris Johnson will obey a new law called the 'Benn Act' which will force the PM to go to Brussels and seek a third Brexit delay - which is why they are considering the extreme plan.

Opposition leaders have refused to bring Boris' government down because there's no consensus around a unity PM at the moment, and they are concerned about him taking Britain out during an election period if one is automatically called within 14 days.

The PM has insisted he will obey the Benn law and we will still leave on October 31.

But it's unclear how he would do that if he didn't get a deal signed off.

Last night ex-PM Sir John Major suggested that Boris may use an order of council to delay the implementation of the Benn Act.

Sir John said on Thursday night: "It is important to note that an Order of Council can be passed by Privy Councillors – that is Government Ministers – without involving HM The Queen. 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.

"It would be a piece of political chicanery that no-one should ever forgive or forget."

5

MOST READ IN POLITICS

WAR READY?

Keir Starmer vows to make Britain ‘battle-ready’ but can't say how he’ll fund it

TAX RAGE

Fury as Starmer says hiking taxes will stifle growth despite clobbering businesses

'ROAD TO RUIN'

Koran-burning conviction condemned as example of 'de facto blasphemy laws'

BORDER CRISIS

Labour slammed as 'pathetic' for trying to blame weather for boat crossings

Brexit Secretary Steven Barclay has said the "moment of truth" was approaching after holding talks with the EU's chief negotiator on Friday.

He told the afterwards: "I think there is still a long way to go. I think we are coming to the moment of truth in these negotiations.

"We are committed to securing a deal. The prime minister has made clear he wants a deal, but there has to be political will on both sides and that's what we are exploring."

5

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.