Johnson could sacrifice majority by withdrawing whip from rebel MPs

Boris Johnson has abruptly cancelled a planned meeting with rebel Tory MPs opposed to no-deal Brexit. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/ReutersBoris Johnson is prepared to blow up his own parliamentary majority and withdraw the whip from dozens of Conservative MPs if they back plans to stop no-deal Brexit, Tory whips have warned potential rebels, in an extreme move by Downing Street that would pave the way for an imminent general election.As hostilities escalated, Johnson also signalled how serious his