Boris Johnson has said he is ready to negotiate a Canada-style Free Trade Agreement with the European Union.

The Prime Minister met Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, in Downing Street on Wednesday, and said Britain is ready to start negotiations “as soon as possible" after Jan 31.

It came hours after Ms von der Leyen warned it would be “basically impossible” to negotiate as close a relationship by the end of the year and that the two sides “will have to prioritise” objectives.

In a speech at the London School of Economics morning she said there are "tough talks ahead" and added: "The truth is that our partnership cannot and will not be the same as before. And it cannot and will not be as close as before - because with every choice comes a consequence.

"With every decision comes a trade-off."

In their meeting Mr Johnson said he wants to secure a “broad free trade agreement covering goods and services, and cooperation in other areas”.