Boris Johnson's Brexit timetable does not give enough time to negotiate a full trade deal between the EU and the UK, Michel Barnier has said.

Speaking in Stockholm on Thursday, the EU's chief negotiator said it would take longer than the 11-month transition period to negotiate a comprehensive relationship.

Instead, Mr Barnier said Brussels will "prioritise" and try to secure a "basic agreement" with the UK – with the EU's red lines being trade in goods, regulatory alignment, and fishing.

"If we want to agree on each and every point of this political declaration – which would lead to an unprecedented relationship – it will take more than 11 months," he said.

"So we are ready to do our best, to do the maximum, in the 11 months, to secure a basic agreement with the UK, but we will need more time to agree on each and every point of this political declaration."

He described the overall plan "covering everything from services and fisheries to climate action, energy, transport, space, security and defence" as a "huge agenda" and said the two sides "simply cannot expect to agree on every single aspect of this new partnership in under a year".

During a Q&A following the speech, Mr Barnier added: "Speaking about economy and trade, there will be no agreement without global agreement on trade for goods, the level playing field, and fisheries. I think I’m clear."

Mr Barnier also said that the agreement would have to include a framework for cooperation on issues such as climate change and the Middle East, as well as a "close security relationship".

He emphasised that Mr Johnson would have to sign Britain up to the so-called "level playing field", in which the UK would have to stay relatively close to EU rules, if it wanted access to European markets.

"If the UK wants an open link with us for the products – zero tariffs, zero quota – we need to be careful about what we call zero dumping," Mr Barnier said.

Boris Johnson in the House of Commons (UK Parliament/Reuters)

"If it is not the case ... the level of access for British products will be proportionate."

The public comments confirm what Mr Barnier has been telling officials privately since last year. In December, The Independent obtained a leaked recording of the chief negotiator telling a closed meeting of MEPs that it was "unrealistic" that a deal could be concluded within Mr Johnson's timetable.

Mr Johnson's Brexit deal includes the option of extending the transition period for two years beyond the end of 2020, but the prime minister says he will not do it – for fear of upsetting Brexiteers in his party.

Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Show all 8 1 /8 Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Conservative party leader Boris Johnson drives a JCB through a fake wall POOL/AFP via Getty Images Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to JCB cab manufacturing centre in Uttoxeter, while on the General Election campaign trail. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday December 10, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Election. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Stefan Rousseau PA Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Britain's Prime Minister and Conservative party leader Boris Johnson drives a Union flag-themed JCB, with the words "Get Brexit Done" inside the digger bucket, through a fake wall emblazoned with the word "GRIDLOCK", during a general election campaign event at JCB construction company in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, on December 10, 2019. - Britain will go to the polls on December 12, 2019 to vote in a pre-Christmas general election. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / POOL / AFP) (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) BEN STANSALL AFP via Getty Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Prime Minister Boris Johnson sits in a cab of a JCB during a visit to its cab manufacturing centre in Uttoxeter, while on the General Election campaign trail. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday December 10, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Election. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Stefan Rousseau PA Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Britain's Prime Minister and Conservative leader Boris Johnson drives a Union flag-themed JCB, with the words "Get Brexit Done" inside the digger bucket, through a fake wall emblazoned with the word "GRIDLOCK", during a general election campaign event at JCB construction company in Uttoxeter, Britain, December 10, 2019. Ben Stansall/AFP/Pool via REUTERS POOL REUTERS Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes A sign made for a visit by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the JCB cab manufacturing centre in Uttoxeter, while on the General Election campaign trail. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday December 10, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Election. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Stefan Rousseau PA Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Britain's Prime Minister and Conservative party leader Boris Johnson drives a Union flag-themed JCB, with the words "Get Brexit Done" inside the digger bucket, through a fake wall emblazoned with the word "GRIDLOCK", during a general election campaign event at JCB construction company in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, on December 10, 2019. - Britain will go to the polls on December 12, 2019 to vote in a pre-Christmas general election. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / POOL / AFP) (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) BEN STANSALL AFP via Getty Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Britain's Prime Minister and Conservative party leader Boris Johnson reacts as he sits in the cab of a drives a Union flag-themed JCB, after driving through a fake wall emblazoned with the word "GRIDLOCK", during a general election campaign event at JCB construction company in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, on December 10, 2019. - Britain will go to the polls on December 12, 2019 to vote in a pre-Christmas general election. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / POOL / AFP) (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) BEN STANSALL AFP via Getty

This approach creates a sharp cliff edge for the country at the end of the year, with the possibility of the UK crashing out on WTO rules. Even if a "basic" deal is cut in time, covering some sectors, any businesses not covered by it would be hit.

Back in Westminster, No 10 appeared to be unaware of Mr Barnier's comments. Asked whether the UK was ready to walk away from talks if the EU insisted on prioritising fisheries and trade in goods in the early stages of any deal, Mr Johnson’s official spokesman said: “I don’t think the EU have set out any detail about how they plan to approach these talks.

“What I’ve heard the EU saying is that they are committed to reaching an agreement with the UK by December 2020. That’s what we will be focused on achieving. It was a positive discussion with Ms Von der Leyen yesterday and we are ready to begin those talks from 1 February.