Brexit: EU's Michel Barnier 'not optimistic' of avoiding a no-deal outcome

The EU negotiator also said discussions about alternatives to the backstop could not begin until Britain had approved the divorce deal struck with Johnson's predecessor Theresa May late last year

EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said Saturday the bloc will not change the divorce deal agreed with Britain and that he is "not optimistic" of avoiding a no-deal outcome.
 

Barnier said the most contentious element of the agreement, the so-called backstop mechanism aimed at keeping the Northern Irish border open in all circumstances, must remain.
 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who took power last month, has called for the provision to be scrapped in order to reach a new deal ahead of the country's latest October 31 departure date.
 

Johnson has said he was encouraged in his bid to