British foreign secretary Dominic Raab. (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

Mr. Raab said the "undemocratic" Irish backstop had to go from the Withdrawal Agreement.  He said Britain wants a good deal with EU partners and friends but that must involve the abolition of the undemocratic backstop. The foreign secretary stressed that what new prime minister Boris Johnson has directed and the cabinet accepted is an acceleration of those preparations. Raab said the EU should change its position on Brexit to avoid the scenario in which Britain will leave the bloc without any agreement.