Michael Gove suggests there could be 'a new prime minister' if Boris Johnson fails to get Brexit deal

'I can’t believe that the EU would want a situation where we are continually negotiating a deal, with a new Labour or other prime minister'

Michael Gove has raised the prospect of Boris Johnson being toppled if he fails to strike a Brexit deal, to be replaced by “a new Labour or other prime minister”.

Asked about the fading prospects for an agreement, with a crucial EU summit just 17 days away, the cabinet office minister argued the EU must recognise “this process will involve compromise for everyone”.

He then added: “I can’t believe that the EU would want a situation where we are continually negotiating a deal, with a new Labour or other prime minister, and this process is endlessly delayed.”

The suggestion of a different leader in No 10 followed a discussion about the EU’s likely reluctance to shift its stance, given the growing political chaos at Westminster and Mr Johnson’s weakness.

And it came as opposition parties, and ex-Tory MPs, reopen talks about whether to stage a vote of no confidence as early as this week, with the aim of bringing him down.

The comment also contradicted the repeated insistence of government ministers that the UK will crash out of the EU on Halloween, if no deal has been struck.

During a fringe meeting at the Conservative conference, the prime minister’s key ally also said the hunt for a deal could stretch beyond the EU summit on 17 October – which Mr Johnson has called the deadline.

Mr Gove pointed to the Greek bailout crisis in 2010, telling the Policy Exchange event, when the EU indulged in “deal-making late into the night”.

“Ideally, we would have a proposition that was ready for the European Council – but it may well be the case that things go right to the wire,” he said.

The claim ignores the reality that the Benn Act requires the prime minister to seek an extension to Article 50, to delay Brexit, if no deal has been passed by parliament by 19 October.

Ministers have insisted they will comply with the law, but also that the UK will leave the EU on 31 October – refusing to explain the contradiction.

Elsewhere in an hour-long question-and-answer session, Mr Gove insisted a no-deal Brexit could still happen but, asked what might be the “loophole”, replied: “Wait to see.”

The once arch-enemy of Mr Johnson, before the pair were reconciled for him to take charge of no deal-planning, also:

* Defended the prime minister’s controversial language in the Commons last week – saying “robust language in political debate is part of our history”.

* Suggested failing to leave the EU on deadline on 31 October would lead to the rise of “populist parties”.

* Said the fixed term parliaments act should be scrapped, after Mr Johnson’s failure to trigger a snap election.

* Held out hope of a reconciliation with David Cameron, saying “relationships go through ups and downs”.