Taoiseach to speak to Johnson next week after consulting with EU over UK Brexit plans

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned British prime minister Boris Johnson his last ditch Brexit plans "do not fully meet the agreed objectives of the backstop" - with just four weeks to go until deadline day.

Mr Varadkar launched the public criticism of Mr Johnson after the two leaders spoke by phone this evening, saying they must speak again by phone next week to try and finalise an eleventh hour agreement.