Johnson raises Brexit stakes with Irish border stance

LONDON, July 16 (AP): The favorite to become Britain's next prime minister, Boris Johnson, has raised the Brexit stakes by saying he will discard a contentious part of the European Union divorce deal agreed by outgoing leader Theresa May.

Britain's Parliament rejected May's deal, in large part because of a measure designed to ensure an open border between the U.K.'s Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland.

Brexit supporters think the so-called "backstop" keeps Britain too closely bound to EU trade rules. Some have argued for an exit clause or time limit.