UK could crash out of EU with no-deal Brexit if Boris Johnson wins election, Michael Gove admits

'We need to prepare for every eventuality', PM's ally insists - acknowledging no-deal remains a threat in just a year's time

A no-deal Brexit will stay on the table if the Conservatives win the general election, Michael Gove says, admitting the UK could still crash out of the EU without a trade deal.

Asked if a no-deal remained a threat at the end of 2020 – when the brief transition period will finish – Boris Johnson’s key ally replied: “It’s always the case that we need to prepare for every eventuality.”

The admission will fuel criticism that leaving the EU's political structures with the prime minister’s deal, at the end of January, leaves open the “trapdoor” of losing all economic and security ties less than a year later.

Downing Street has insisted the transition period will not be extended – even though trade experts have ridiculed the claim of striking a complex deal within a year.

Asked whether MPs will be given a vote on extending, Mr Johnson's official spokesman told reporters: "No. The answer to that is a simple No. We aren't extending the implementation period."

Mr Gove, the cabinet office minister, argued an EU trade deal would be straightforward, because Mr Johnson’s agreement already “charts the future shape of our relationship”.

“It’s always the case that we need to prepare for every eventuality, but I am confident we will be able to get a good relationship with the EU at the end of this period,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

However, Brussels has already warned that the UK’s wish to diverge from standards - on workers’ rights and environmental and consumer protections – will put up big obstacles.

Keir Starmer, Labour’s Brexit spokesman, said the idea of a trade deal being negotiated in just a few months was “for the birds”.

“If you vote Conservative, and you get Boris Johnson and what I think is a hard-right deal, it does leave the very real prospect that we leave without a deal at the end of next year,” he warned.

Mr Johnson's spokesman was unable to rule out a no-deal departure at the end of 2020, saying only that there was "no reason whatsoever why we will not secure a deal by that date".

"Both the UK and EU are committed to reaching a trade deal by that date, and that's what we are going to do," said the spokesman.

The timetable for the negotiations is even shorter than the end of 2020, because an extension to the transition period must be requested by June 2020.

Incredibly, the non-binding political declaration agreed by the UK and EU says the future negotiations “will convene at a high level in June 2020” – the deadline for making that extension decision.

There are suspicions that a no deal at the end of 2020 remains the aim of hardline Tory MPs, which arose when one said it was their reason for backing Mr Johnson’s deal.

Brexit dominated the skirmishing in today’s campaigning, with Jeremy Corbyn accusing Mr Johnson of planning to “sell out our NHS and working people” and “unleash Thatcherism on steroids.”

The Liberal Democrats said they would deliver a £50 billion “Remain bonus” for public services over the next five years if the UK stays in the EU.

In a speech at the party's campaign launch, its leader Jo Swinson claimed the extra £10bn a year will be due to the UK having a larger economy.

Meanwhile, in a letter, the prime minister called on Labour leader Mr Corbyn to “come clean” on his Brexit proposals, claiming Labour's current position was “to go back to square one”.