British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reportedly making plans to virtually "squat" in Downing Street, media reports quoting Cabinet insiders claimed on Sunday.
In what would be seen as a major constitutional crisis, Queen Elizabeth II may have to step in and effectively sack a sitting Prime Minister in case Johnson refuses to step down even if a no-confidence motion is passed against him over the ongoing Brexit divisions in the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament.
Such a scenario is looking increasingly likely as Johnson pursues his "do or die" pledge to leave the European Union (EU) by the October 31 deadline, according to media reports.
Senior aides in the government are quoted as saying that Johnson would not stand aside if his latest Brexit proposals were rejected by the European Union (EU), leading to MPs rallying to try and remove him in order to avert a no-deal crash-exit from the 28-member economic bloc.
They said Johnson was prepared to "squat" in Downing Street even if MPs declare no confidence in his government and agree upon a caretaker prime minister to replace him.
In Sunday newspapers, Johnson himself reiterated his stance against the controversial Irish backstop and said his untested plan to use technology to eliminate customs border checks would take the UK out of EU trade rules while respecting the Northern Ireland peace process.
The backstop is the controversial insurance policy that is meant to keep a free-flowing border on the island of Ireland, but which critics led by Johnson fear could trap the UK in EU trading rules indefinitely.
"I say to our European friends: grasp the opportunity our new proposal provides. Join us at the negotiating table in a spirit of compromise and cooperation," Johnson said.
He claimed that MPs from "every wing of the Conservative Party", Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party and from Labour have said "our proposed deal looks like one they can get behind". But he said "there will be no more dither and delay" and the UK would leave the EU on October 31 with or without a deal.
Johnson's proposals would see the UK territory of Northern Ireland effectively stay within the EU single market for goods but leave the common Customs Union, something which has been dubbed an "all-island regulatory zone" on the island of Ireland. But the EU has indicated that this would not be acceptable to all the member-countries.
Indian-origin Labour Party MP Lisa Nandy, seen as one of the few Opposition MPs who could potentially vote for a Conservative Party deal with the EU, attacked Johnson's offer to Brussels unveiled last week as little more than general election posturing.
"This is a pre-election party-political broadcast from the Prime Minister, and the truth is that for all of the talk about getting Brexit done, we are further away from achieving a deal than we were two months ago when he became prime minister," the MP added.
