IF we are to take him at his word, Boris Johnson is now more likely to entertain the existence of Nessie than he is to seek a further Brexit extension from the EU.

The Prime Minister told journalists a part of him still yearns to believe an elusive monster lurks beneath the dark grey waters of Loch Ness.

But he appeared to rule out ever asking the EU for a delay – even if MPs pass a law compelling him to do so.

Mr Johnson made the comments during an occasionally surreal visit to Darnford Farm in Banchory, rural Aberdeenshire, where he announced £211 million of funding for Scottish farmers.

Told to arrive by 8.45am at the latest, bleary-eyed reporters – most of whom had driven up from the central belt – were soon ushered into an outbuilding to await Mr Johnson's arrival, surrounded by tools, chopped wood, a pram and a paddling pool, among other items. An aide joined, and the door was shut.

Gravel crunched outside. A toilet flushed. Occasional laughter and animated conversations could be heard through the walls. At one point a journalist tried to leave, but was told not to.

Thankfully, the Watson family who own the farm – and whose 840 acres won Scotch Beef Farm of the Year in 2015 – had provided coffee, tea, muffins, shortbread and scones. There were even two dogs.

Outside, Mr Johnson was being snapped walking alongside a sturdy-looking prize bull named Keene. Peter Watson, 65, who described the Prime Minister as a "breath of fresh air", later told journalists he had raised concerns about the impact of exports on the farming industry during a chat.

When Mr Johnson eventually bounded into the outbuilding at 10.32am, he made a point of shaking the hands of every journalist present.

But while some of the old Boris energy was definitely present, the infectious puppy-dog enthusiasm seemed worn down.

The Prime Minister was immediately quizzed on the prospects of an early general election.

With both the SNP and Labour hardening in their opposition to a poll while the threat of a no-deal Brexit hangs in the air, the UK Government looks a bit boxed in, doesn't it?

"I think we can get out of the EU on October 31, and that's what we intend to do," Mr Johnson replied. 

He said he was "perplexed by the decision of the leader of the opposition and the SNP to run away from an election".

They obviously don't trust the people and don't think they'll get the votes, he added.

But how will he actually get a new Brexit deal? “By powers of persuasion," came the answer. "Because there is absolutely no doubt that we need to come out."

Mr Johnson had claimed he would unite the Tory Party and the country during his leadership campaign. Instead, his party is riven with splits.  

At what point will he resign? Some time after he has delivered Brexit, united the country and defeated Jeremy Corbyn, he replied.

He said he could "see no reason" for granting the Scottish Government the power to hold a second independence referendum.

Elsewhere, he paid a slightly unexpected tribute to Ruth Davidson – a well-known BoJo critic – and said he wanted to see the former Scottish Tory leader make a comeback.

The Prime Minister was also scathing about legislation which would force him to seek a further Brexit extension if an agreement is not reached. He said the British public don't want more "dither and delay".

One journalist asked: "So you won't seek that extension even if it's passed in law?"

He replied: "I will not. I don't want a delay." 

It's not clear what this actually means in practice.

And then came Nessie. A recent scientific study had found the elusive creature may be nothing more than a giant eel.

Does Mr Johnson believe in the Loch Ness monster?

"Well now, I'm going to be very careful here," he joked. "Because, you see, the EU Commission would claim that I believe in all sorts of crypto-zoological creatures – whereas in fact they are perfectly reputable solutions to the longstanding problems of frictionless trade at the Irish backstop.

"When I was a kid, I yearned to believe in it. I yearned to believe in it. Part of me still does.

"I'm not taking that as conclusive proof of the non-existence of the Loch Ness monster."

He added: "Well...Let me put it this way: there is a part of my soul that still yearns to believe."