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Boris Johnson\u2019s Brexit timetable has been described as unrealistic in comments reportedly made by the European Union\u2019s chief negotiator.<\/p>\nBoris Johnson\u2019s Brexit timetable has been described as unrealistic in comments reportedly made by the European Union\u2019s chief negotiator.<\/p>\n
In a leaked recording obtained by The Independent, Michel Barnier can be heard saying that a global trade negotiation cannot be completed in the time frame suggested by the British Prime Minister.<\/p>\n
Mr Johnson has consistently vowed to take the UK out of the EU by January 31 and then finalize a trade deal with Brussels within 11 months to meet the transition period deadline.<\/p>\n
Mr Barnier has previously said the trade talks after the UK leaves the bloc might be as tough as the negotiations that have taken up the last three years.<\/p>\n
In the recording, published on the Independent website, Mr Barnier is speaking in French to a group of senior MEPs at a closed meeting this week, according to the news outlet.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI repeat that when it comes to this agreement we won\u2019t do everything in 11 months \u2013 we will do the maximum.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to decide together with the British \u2013 not later \u2013 if the treaty is to be respected.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen we will have certainty and if there are no prolongations, we will have a few months still to achieve the conclusion \u2013 what I call the minimum economic needs for security or prepare ourselves for a cliff edge.<\/p>\n
\u201cEither we have a trade agreement or we will be in the framework of the WTO,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
“It is unrealistic that a global negotiation can be done in 11 months, so we can\u2019t do it all.”<\/p>\n
Andrew Gwynne, Labour\u2019s campaign coordinator in the UK, said: \u201cBoris Johnson is playing the British public for fools.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s hiding in fridges to dodge interviews precisely because his fake Brexit slogans can\u2019t stand up to scrutiny, just like his empty words on the NHS.<\/p>\n
\u201cJohnson\u2019s sell-out Brexit deal will put us on the fast-track to a cliff-edge No Deal Brexit.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only place Johnson\u2019s sell-out Brexit deal should go is into the deep freeze, just like Johnson when he doesn\u2019t have the guts to face a reporter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Liberal Democrat shadow Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: \u201cMichel Barnier\u2019s comments are further proof that Boris Johnson\u2019s key campaign slogan is just another Tory fib.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust like his claim that there\u2019ll be no checks on goods to Northern Ireland and his lies to the Queen, Johnson can\u2019t help but mislead the British public.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis reckless Brexit approach will send the country careering off the no-deal cliff next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cVoting Liberal Democrat tomorrow is your chance to stop Boris Johnson, stop Brexit and build a brighter future within the EU.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Conservative spokesman said: \u201cBarnier also said the Withdrawal Agreement couldn\u2019t be reopened and the backstop would never be removed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Prime Minister secured a new deal that abolished the backstop.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday we are fighting for every vote because only a majority Conservative government will get Brexit done.\u201d<\/p>\n