Beleaguered Boris Johnson will tell the Queen 'sack me if you dare' rather than quit over Brexit , it's claimed.
Senior aides suggest the act of defiance will take place should Brussels not "grasp the opportunity" of his latest Brexit proposals, The Sunday Times reports.
The paper claims Mr Johnson will challenge the Queen to fire him rather than tender his resignation in an attempt to drive through Brexit on October 31.
It is claimed that he will not fall on his sword if his proposals are rejected and MPs attempt to unseat him.
Sources say he is prepared to "squat" at No10 - even if a vote of no confidence is declared.
Johnson insisted Britain will pack its bags and walk out at the end of the month, but said it remains to be seen whether Europe will "cheerily wave us off" with a deal.
Describing his blueprint for an agreement as a "practical compromise that gives ground where necessary", he said it represents the UK "jumping to the island in the middle of the river".
Writing in the Sun on Sunday , he added: "If we're to leave with a deal, we now need the EU to jump over from its side and join us there, showing its own willingness to do a deal that the UK Parliament can support."
But the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier poured scorn on the chances of the new proposal succeeding, reportedly telling an event in Paris: "If they do not change, I do not believe, on the basis of the mandate I have been given by the EU27, that we can advance."
In comments reported by The Observer, he also reiterated the EU's claim that a no-deal outcome would "never be Europe's choice... it would always be the UK's choice, not ours".
The PM, meanwhile, described Jeremy Corbyn as a "serial wannabe Brexit-wrecker", but said he has been encouraged to discover not all MPs are "so recalcitrant" in backing the proposal.
"MPs from every wing of my own Conservative Party, from Northern Ireland's DUP, even from Jeremy Corbyn's own ranks, have said that our proposed deal looks like one they can get behind," Mr Johnson said.
"Where the previous Withdrawal Agreement, backstop and all, drove an almighty wedge through the heart of Parliament, I have heard positive noises from across the House."
He said it will be more likely for the EU to accept Britain's "outstretched hand" and make that "leap on to the island" if he is armed with a set of proposals MPs support.
He added: "So I say to our European friends: grasp the opportunity that our new proposal provides. Join us at the negotiating table in a spirit of compromise and co-operation. And let's make Brexit work for both sides.
"We are leaving in 25 days. We can do it with a deal if the EU is willing. But they should be under no illusions or misapprehensions. There will be no more dither.
"No more delay. On October 31 we are going to get Brexit done."
Irish premier Leo Varadkar gave a glimmer of hope to Mr Johnson as he said a deal could be secured in the next two weeks, but he cautioned the current proposals do not form the basis for "deeper negotiations".
