Boris Johnson has compared the UK leaving the European Union to the fictional superhero The Incredible Hulk breaking free from his shackles.
The UK Prime Minister, who is set to meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Monday, reiterated that Brexit must happen by October 31. Critics fear this approach could lead to a no-deal Brexit and a recession.
Mr Johnson, a long-time Eurosceptic, believes Britain will thrive once it departs the EU and drew a parallel between the country’s fate and Bruce Banner, the scientist who turned into The Hulk when angry.
"Banner might be bound in manacles, but when provoked he would explode out of them," Mr Johnson told The Mail on Sunday.
“Hulk always escaped, no matter how tightly bound in he seemed to be – and that is the case for this country. We will come out on October 31 and we will get it done,” he said.
The Prime Minister also slammed opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn and pro-Brussels MPs, who argue there should be a delay to Brexit with some advocating remaining in the EU. Mr Johnson wants to renegotiate a withdrawal agreement with the EU but has made little headway so far.
“Don't be fooled by Corbyn and the Remain ringleaders. On the one hand they say I don't want a deal. On the other they want to force me to extend.
“Both are wrong. I am straining to get a deal, but I will also end the uncertainty and take us out on October 31,” he said.
Mr Johnson saw his parliamentary majority disappear in recent weeks after a number of high-profile MPs from his Conservative Party had the whip withdrawn after voting against the government’s Brexit strategy. Some have also left the party.
He also came under attack from former Prime Minister David Cameron, who accused Mr Johnson of not believing in Brexit and using it further his political ambitions.
Mr Cameron, who was Prime Minister during the referendum on the UK's EU membership, claimed Mr Johnson wanted to use Brexit "become the darling of the Party," in extract from his new book that were published in The Sunday Times.
Mr Johnson “didn’t want to risk allowing someone else with a high profile — Michael Gove in particular — to win that crown,” claimed Mr Cameron.
“The conclusion I am left with is that he risked an outcome he didn’t believe in because it would help his political career.”
Mr Cameron, who backed remaining in the EU, also suggested he was prepared to offer Mr Johnson a high-profile government job.
“Assume ‘remain’ wins,” I said. “I’ll bring the government back together and make new appointments. You will be a key part of that.” I told him he would have a ‘top five’ job,” he wrote.
“He ruminated on what was in the top five, given that he knew I wouldn’t move George [Osbourne, finance minister] for him. “Defence is a top-five job,” I said. I was sure the hint was heavy enough to sink in."
