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Tory leadership front runner Boris Johnson has claimed the Conservative Party could be wiped out if it fails to deliver Brexit on 31 October.

In his first major speech of the leadership campaign, the former foreign secretary claimed the party could face extinction unless it put Nigel Farage "back in his box".

Mr Johnson's stark warning came in hustings before Tory MPs at Westminster, after he turned down an invitation to meet Donald Trump so he could take part.

He was joined by leadership rivals Sajid Javid, Rory Stewart and Andrea Leadsom at an event described by the organisers, the One Nation group of Tory MPs, as "a job interview to be Prime Minister".

The hustings took place barely an hour after the Conservative Party announced leadership election rule changes making it harder for candidates backed by only a few MPs to take part.

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Ruling out calling an early general election, Mr Johnson said: "We are looking at a very difficult situation and we must get ready, eventually but not immediately, to beat Jeremy Corbyn and put Farage back in his box.

"We are facing an existential crisis and will not be forgiven if we do not deliver Brexit on 31 October."

And he claimed: "I believe I am best placed to lift this party, beat Jeremy Corbyn and excite people about conservatism and Conservative values.

"We need to realise the depth of the problems we face - unless we get on and do this thing (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."

Some of the 80 or so MPs present claimed Mr Johnson was more subdued and serious than in the past, though one MP told Sky News: "Boris was Boris."

Speaking first at the hustings, Mr Javid appeared to attack Mr Johnson and the other strongly Euro-sceptic leadership candidates.

"If we make the wrong choice in this leadership election we could end up with a leader who thinks the way to lead is to exploit division," he said.

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"If we don't look like change, voters will go for change in the form of Corbyn. I'm not from Conservative central casting."

And Mr Javid was warmly applauded when he said: "We will not beat the Brexit Party by becoming the Brexit Party."

He also ruled out a pact with Nigel Farage's party, adding: "I wouldn't enter into a confidence and supply arrangement with the Brexit Party."

Speaking second, Mr Stewart told the event: "I began this race believing I should be a truth-teller on principle - ironically I have discovered that it is very popular - and the only way to avoid an election and win the next one is by being straight with people.

"No more unicorns, no more red lines, no more promises we can't deliver. That's how we get Brexit done, defeat Corbyn and unify the country."

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But the biggest applause of the evening was won by the final speaker, Mrs Leadsom, who when asked what was the greatest failing of the Government, replied: "Not getting rid of the Speaker."

Next up before the One Nation group of centrist Tory MPs are Michael Gove, Jeremy Hunt, Matt Hancock and Dominic Raab, followed by Sam Gyimah, Mark Harper and Esther McVey next Monday, though organisers believe the last three may have dropped out by then.