Boris Johnson's timetable to 'get Brexit done' has been described as unrealistic by Michel Barnier.

In a leaked recording, the European Union's chief negotiator says that a global trade negotiation cannot be completed in the time frame promised by the Prime Minister.

Mr Johnson has consistently vowed to take the UK out of the EU by January 31 and then finalise a trade deal with Brussels within 11 months.

His commitment to 'get Brexit done' has become his main campaign slogan during the election battle.

Mr Barnier has previously said the trade talks after the UK leaves the EU might be just as tough as the negotiations that have taken up the last three years.

Michel Barnier says that a post-Brexit trade negotiation cannot be completed in the time frame promised by the Prime Minister

EU leaders will meet at a summit tomorrow where they are expected to reject the Prime Minister's timetable.

In the new recording, published on the website of the Independent, Mr Barnier was apparently speaking in French to a group of senior MEPs at a closed meeting this week.

He said: 'I repeat that when it comes to this agreement we won't do everything in 11 months - we will do the maximum.'

Mr Barnier points out that by June it needs to be decided whether or not the transition period will be extended to 2021 or 2022.

He explained: 'We only have 11 months to negotiate the future relationship. Johnson has said he will not extend the transitional period.

'It is going to be a lot of pressure for us, meaning renegotiating all EU treaties around the world.

'Eleven months is very unrealistic for such wide-ranging negotiations. We will have to try to do everything possible, particularly to avoid a cliff edge.'

Boris Johnson has consistently vowed to take the UK out of the EU by January 31 and then finalise a trade deal with Brussels within 11 months

Andrew Gwynne, Labour's campaign coordinator, said: 'Boris Johnson is playing the British public for fools.

'He's hiding in fridges to dodge interviews precisely because his fake Brexit slogans can't stand up to scrutiny, just like his empty words on the NHS.

'Johnson's sell-out Brexit deal will put us on the fast-track to a cliff-edge No Deal Brexit.

'And that's exactly what he wants, so he can drive the UK into a toxic trade deal with Trump and put the NHS up for sale to US drug companies.

'The only place Johnson's sell-out Brexit deal should go is into the deep freeze, just like Johnson when he doesn't have the guts to face a reporter.'

Liberal Democrat shadow Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: 'Michel Barnier's comments are further proof that Boris Johnson's key campaign slogan is just another Tory fib.

'Just like his claim that there'll be no checks on goods to Northern Ireland and his lies to the Queen, Johnson can't help but mislead the British public.

'His reckless Brexit approach will send the country careering off the no-deal cliff next year.

'Voting Liberal Democrat tomorrow is your chance to stop Boris Johnson, stop Brexit and build a brighter future within the EU.'