Boris Johnson coming to Ireland for last-ditch Brexit talks

By COLIN BARTLEY

BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson is coming to Ireland to hold talks with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Brexit.

The Taoiseach’s office this afternoon confirmed Prime Minster Johnson accepted an invitation from the Taoiseach and will travel to meet next Monday.

Earlier this week the Taoiseach suggested a meeting with Mr Johnson may take place next week in which he would listen to alternatives to the backstop.

Just this afternoon, Prime Minister Johnson lost his working majority in Westminster after a member of the Conservative Party defected to the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Johnson faces two critical votes in the next 24-hours, one on leaving the EU without a deal, and the second on suspending parliament to call a general election. These votes could determine the strength of Mr Johnson’s hand when he arrives in Dublin next week.