BORIS Johnson has been told to expect a legal battle with former PM Sir John Major if he tries to suspend Parliament in order to force through a no-deal Brexit.

Major said it would be “utterly and totally unacceptable” for any British premier to shut down Parliament, and he would seek a judicial review if it happened.

Johnson dismissed Major ’s “very odd” threat of being dragged through the courts, insisting that Parliament should accept its responsibility to deliver Brexit.

But he has refused to rule out proroguing Parliament to prevent MPs blocking a no-deal exit from the European Union on October 31.

The Tory leadership campaign frontrunner said: “What we are going to do is deliver Brexit on October 31, which is what I think the people of this country want us to get on and do. I think everybody is fed up with delay and I think the idea of now consecrating this decision to the judiciary is really very, very odd indeed.”

In order to prorogue Parliament, a PM would have to ask the Queen to formally allow it. Although the Queen’s decision could not be challenged, Major said the advice of the prime minister could be.