LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar on Tuesday that Britain will be leaving the European Union "no matter what" on Oct 31, stressing that the so-called Irish backstop had to be removed from any exit deal.

"The prime minister made clear that the UK will be leaving the EU on October 31, no matter what," said a statement from Johnson's office about a phone call between the two.

"The prime minister made clear that the government will approach any negotiations which take place with determination and energy and in a spirit of friendship, and that his clear preference is to leave the EU with a deal, but it must be one that abolishes the backstop."

Reuters