MPs began debating the Prime Minister’s motion to hold an early general election shortly after 5pm. During the debate, Speaker John Bercow remarked Boris Johnson made his point “apparently to his own satisfaction”, after the Prime Minister lashed out at Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Mr Corbyn seemed to be unaware of Mr Johnson recently sending a letter to confirm the EU’s offer of a Brexit delay, as he claimed the Prime Minister had “not formally accepted” an extension.

The Labour leader told the Commons: “The Prime Minister has not formally accepted and the other 27 have not confirmed, following that acceptance.

“The reason I’m so cautious is quite simply, I do not trust the Prime Minister.”

Speaker Bercow interjected: “Order, order. I don’t know whether the Prime Minister was seeking to intervene.”

Mr Johnson hit back: “Mr Speaker I’m afraid the leader of the opposition is mistaken, as I always said this Government obeys the law. We have complied with the law and that has taken its course.

“Parliament asked for this delay, now it’s up to him to go to the country in a General Election, that’s what he should do.”

The Speaker said: “For the avoidance of doubt, such matters are not matters for the chair.”

Mr Bercow then appeared to smirk as he continued: “But the Prime Minister has made his own point, apparently to his own satisfaction.”

This morning the EU agreed to a Brexit extension until January 31, 2020 and Boris Johnson has officially sent a letter confirming the offer of a delay.

The two-page document restated the Prime Minister’s reluctance to agree an extension and blamed British MPs for the delay.

He said: “I must make clear my view that this unwanted prolongation of the UK’s membership of the EU is damaging to our democracy and to the relationship between us and our European friends.”

Mr Johnson added: “I would have much preferred it it the UK Parliament could have proceeded rapidly to ratify the deal we reached between us.

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“Unfortunately I very much fear that this Parliament will never so as long as it has the option of further delay.

“This is why I am seeking a General Election in December to ensure the election of a fresh Parliament which is capable of resolving the issue in accordance with our constitutional norms.”

The extension will be terminated early if Mr Johnson succeeds in getting his Withdrawal and Implementation Bill approved by Parliament before then.

Mr Johnson needs to secure the votes of Labour MPs to secure an early vote, in order to achieve a two-thirds majority.

They are due to vote on the motion at 7pm.

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