Boris Johnson has warned against a delay a further delay to Britain's EU exit (Image: GETTY)
Mr Johnson was speaking to 100 MPs and The Daily Telegraph reported the former Mayor of London spoke of how his party was facing an “existential crisis” but affirmed his belief he would defeat Jeremy Corbyn and put Nigel Farage “back in his box”. Mr Johnson had turned down a meeting with Donald Trump to focus on his leadership bid and take part in a hustings event with European Research Group (ERG) of Brexiteers. His position sets him apart from the rest of the now 11 candidates after James Cleverly and Kit Malthouse pulled out from the running on Tuesday.
The other two leading candidates by support from MPs are Jeremy Hunt who has warned no deal would be “political suicide” and Michael Gove who is expected to announce he would be prepared to delay Brexit until 2020.
The former Foreign Secretary ruled out calling a snap election and said he opposed a second referendum “with every fibre of my body”.
He went on to add: “We need to realise the depth of the problems we face - unless we get on and do Brexit we will be punished for a very long time.
"There is a very real choice between getting Brexit done and the potential extinction of this great party - but I believe I can take on Farage and win back the voters being won over by him.”
READ MORE: The Tory leadership candidates seeking ANOTHER Brexit extension
Mr Johnson is seeking to replace Theresa May in 10 Downing Street (Image: GETTY)
Mr Johnson voiced his opposition to a no deal Brexit but did say he thought it important to prepare for such an outcome: “The more determined we are to pursue no deal the less likely we will have to deploy it.”
He would also gain the public backing of three moderate Conservative MPs in Rishi Sunak, Robert Jenrick and Oliver Dowden, who backed him by saying he could "inspire the country and revitalise our party".
Mr Sunak and Mr Jendrick had backed Michael Gove in the 2016 leadership election, in which Mr Johnson did not stand.
President Trump has backed Mr Johnson
