Boris Johnson has set the UK on an apparent course towards a no-deal Brexit by playing down the likelihood of any talks with the EU unless Brussels agrees to scrap the existing withdrawal agreement and Irish backstop, both of which it has ruled out. The US president, who has publicly praised Johnson on numerous occasions, also discussed the Iran crisis. Political insiders in Berlin say the visit could take place as early as next week, but no date has been announced. Michael Roth, Germany’s minister of state for Europe, said Johnson was mistaken “to believe that the European Union will let itself be blackmailed”. Tobias Ellwood, the junior defence minister, who strongly opposes a no-deal departure, was sacked from his post on Friday.

Source: The Guardian July 26, 2019 12:03 UTC