Boris Johnson has said he will give MPs more time to debate his Brexit deal but only if they agree to a general election on December 12. 

The Prime Minister said he expected the EU to grant an extension to his October 31 deadline, even though he "really" did not want one.

He says there would be more time allocated for the Commons to look at his deal immediately, provided they accept his bid for a vote.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson says there should be no Brexit extension

Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg has confirmed that on Monday there will be a debate and vote on an early general election.

It comes amid signs the EU is set to grant a fresh Brexit delay until the end of January after Mr Johnson was forced – under the terms of the so-called Benn Act – to request a further extension.

The Herald:

Earlier, Liberal Democrat leader, Jo Swinson, wrote to Mr Corbyn urging Labour to support her party’s amendment to the Queen’s speech that would, if passed, ensure a second Brexit referendum.

Mr Johnson urged Labour to back an election in a vote he plans to hold next week.

The EU is expected to give its verdict on extending Brexit on Friday.

Mr Johnson said parliament voted to delay Brexit and “that delay could go on for a very long time” because the EU would respond to parliament’s request and agree an extension.

He said: "If this parliament is anything to go by, that delay could go on for a very long time because it looks as though our EU friends will respond to parliament’s request by having an extension, which I really don’t want at all.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson says Brexit deal is done

"The way to get Brexit done is, I think, to be reasonable with parliament and say if they genuinely want more time to study this excellent deal, they can have it, but they have to agree to a general election on December 12.

He told the BBC: “It’s time frankly that the opposition summoned up the nerve to submit themselves to the judgement of our collective boss, which is the people of the UK.”

The Herald:

Johnson said his proposal would give MPs “all the time the want” to scrutinise the bill before 6 November. He says that’s more than many of them had been asking for.

The prime minister said it would “absolutely morally incredible” if the Labour party were to refuse to back an election.

In a letter to Mr Corbyn, Mr Johnson said: "I have repeatedly made clear to EU leaders since I became Prime Minister that I believe any delay to be extremely damaging for the country and my view has never changed that we should leave on October 31.

He said he was "extremely sceptical" that the "habit" of delay will change " and many will doubt that this Parliament will do anything other than waste more and more time and then, in January, ask for yet another delay".

He added: "These repeated delays have been bad for the economy, bad for businesses and bad for millions of people trying to plan their futures.
"If businesses assume that this Parliament will stay, paralysed, refusing to take responsibility for month after month into 2020, it will cause misery for millions.

"It is our duty to end this nightmare and provide the country with a solution as soon as we reasonably can.
"If the EU offers the delay that Parliament has requested - that is, we must say in until January 31  - then it is clear than there must be an election. We cannot risk further paralysis. 

"In these circumstances, the Commons will vote next week on whether to hold an election to be held on December 12."

He said this would mean Parliament dissolving just after midnight on November 6.

He said if Mr Corbyn committed to voting for an election then in the event of a January 31 delay the government would make available "all possible time" between now and November 6 for the new Brexit bill to be discussed and voted through, "including Fridays, weekends, the earliest starts and the latest finishes".

Mr Johnson went on: "This means that we could get Brexit done before the election on December 12, if MPs choose to do so.
If Parliament failed to ratify the bill by the end of November 6, as Mr Johnson said he feared it will, then the issue would have to be resolved by a new Parliament.

A December 12 election would allow a new Parliament and government to be in place by Christmas.