UK PM Johnson told Tusk: We leave EU on Oct. 31 whatever the circumstances

BIARRITZ, France, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Boris Johnson told European Council President Donald Tusk that Britain would be leaving the European Union on Oct. 31 whatever the circumstances, a British official said on Sunday after the two met at a G7 summit in France.

Johnson told Tusk that his preference remained to seek a deal with the EU, and repeated that he would be willing to sit down and talk with EU leaders, the official said.

The two will meet again at the United Nations General Assembly next month. (Reporting by William James, Editing by William Maclean)