Johnson exit greeted by Dublin and Brussels as reason for hope

Micháal Martin Boris Johnson, pictured in March: Ireland’s taoiseach called on the government to respect international law and the post-Brexit deal on Northern Ireland. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

Boris Johnson’s downfall has been received as a reason for hope in Brussels and Dublin, after relations between the UK and the EU hit a historic low point under his premiership.

Given the difficulties over the last two and a half years, there was a dearth of the usual diplomatic platitudes from European capitals, although Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy did express his “sadness” in a call.