UK's Johnson tells Juncker no Brexit deal if backstop remains

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker by phone on Tuesday that there was no prospect of a Brexit deal unless the Irish border backstop was abolished, his office said.

"The Prime Minister set out that the UK will be leaving the EU on Oct. 31 whatever the circumstances, and that we absolutely want to do so with a deal," a spokeswoman said. "The PM was also clear however that unless the Withdrawal Agreement is reopened and the backstop abolished there is no prospect of that deal."

Also Read: World News Roundup: Boris Johnson on Brexit; Syrian government advances in rebel-held town and more