Johnson appears to snub Varadkar's formal invitation to hold Brexit talks in Dublin

New British prime minister Boris Johnson has appeared to snub Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's formal invitation to hold Brexit talks in Dublin after the offer was met with silence from Downing Street.

The Irish Examiner understands that Mr Johnson failed to give any answer to Mr Varadkar's offer during a 15-minute phone call yesterday which saw the two leaders clash over the future of the Brexit backstop.