Mr Fox was on the BBC Two programme to discuss the intricacies of what progress had been made between Conservatives and the EU on trade. The UK was due to have resolved a trade deal by this week, had former Prime Minister, Theresa May, managed to keep to her original Brexit deadline. But since the UK left the EU last Friday, talks are moving forward to secure a future deal.

During the questioning, Ms Barnett asked Mr Fox why trade deals with Japan and Canada had not proved as easy as the Conservatives first predicted.

She said: “The previous deadline you were talking about, and of course that kept moving because of your Government, was actually when we were meant to be leaving at this point.

“So it’s now – it’s this date.

“And these deals with Canada, with Japan, that we were told were the easy ones, the rollover ones.

“That’s the only thing British citizens can go on as their record at being able to do the easier trade deals, haven’t been done. Why not?”

But Mr Fox snapped back: “Because the point is that those were designed for the no deal option if Britain were to leave without a deal.

“We do have a deal with the EU, and countries know they’ve got more time to negotiate a trade deal – as do we.

“Also Japan wasn’t one of those agreements and incidentally it wasn’t the Government that held the deal up it was Parliament.”

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It added: “Boris Johnson’s plan is no-deal in all but name.

“Lib Dems will fight to secure a trade relationship that is based on fair rules and liberal values.”

The tweet, which has nearly 200 likes, has a video attached which sees Sir Ed delivering a speech.

In the speech, he said: “So as our country forges its future outside the European Union, we must campaign for a future that reflects the best of the United Kingdom.

“Where those with the broadest shoulders bear the greatest burden.

“Where workers are protected, consumers and human rights are respected.

“But this fight for a progressive Britain starts with our campaign to prevent a no-deal Brexit at the end of this year.

“And secure a trade relationship that is based on fair rules and liberal values.”