The seemingly disastrous meeting between Theresa May and Jean-Claude Juncker has been laid bare in a report that reveals the European Commission President told her: “I leave Downing Street 10 times more sceptical than I was before."

The UK Government described the meeting on Wednesday as “constructive”, saying the pair discussed other international issues in a “useful working dinner”.

Yet a very different account emerged in the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper's report.

According to the paper, EU officials and Mr Juncker were surprised that Ms May did not appear to be fully briefed for the meeting, claiming she had unrealistic expectations about the length and process of negotiations.

The PM reportedly insisted on discussing other world problems as well as Brexit and refused to accept that the UK owed the EU billions of euros, saying there was no such demand in EU treaties.

She was told in response that the EU was “not a golf club”.

If the UK did not pay, said Mr Juncker, there would be no trade deal.

I hope Britain will rejoin EU after Brexit, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker says

According to the report, Ms May told EU officials she expected to be elected Prime Minister next month and wanted to “make Brexit a success".

She was told that would not be possible, because the UK would become worse off in the future as a “third country” - a country outside of the EU and the customs union.

Ms May also informed the officials she wanted to clarify the rights of UK citizens in Europe at the EU Council meeting in June – an idea dismissed by Mr Juncker, given the complex nature of associated issues like healthcare.

She also stated she wanted UK citizens to be treated no differently from other third-country nationals.

The PM then said she wanted to deal with Brexit talks in four-day blocks every month, and keep discussions confidential.

But Mr Juncker reportedly pulled two piles of paper from his bag: Croatia’s EU entry deal and Canada’s free trade deal, highlighting how complex these talks would be.

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The morning after the meeting, Mr Juncker called German Chancellor Angela Merkel and reportedly said Ms May “lived in another galaxy” and was “deluding herself”.

It prompted Ms Merkel to quickly amend a passage in her speech to the EU’s Brexit summit, a speech that would be described as her toughest yet.

“I have to put it in such clear terms because unfortunately I have the feeling that some in Britain still have illusions,” she said.

“But that would be a waste of time.”

Merkel derails May's plan for Brexit by rejecting parallel trade talks

She declared the EU would put its own interests first and it would choose how to handle the negotiations. This meant talking about their new relationship first, followed by financial matters, in reverse order to the wishes of Ms May.

A statement issued from the European People’s Party echoed this sentiment, saying citizens of the 27 EU member states “will always come first”.

“While we aim at maintaining good relations with the UK, the decision of the British people has set an irreversible course,” it read.

"We insist that the Brexit process be conducted in an orderly way: there will be no talks on future relations until these exit talks are concluded.

"In this regard, the EPP fully trusts and stands behind EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier in his efforts to successfully negotiate on behalf of the EU."

Chancellor Merkel also urged the 27 remaining member states’ to speak with “one voice” with the UK when talks start in June.

In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier listens at the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, delivers his speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Michel Barnier, European Chief Negotiator for Brexit reacts during a meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Member of the European Parliament and former leader of the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nigel Farage wears socks with Union Jack flag at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Nigel Farage, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) member and MEP, addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcoming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier gestures during speeches at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (L) speaks with European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Member of the European Parliament and former leader of the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nigel Farage gestures during speeches at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, on April 5, 2017. The European Parliament will on April 5 lay down its "red lines" for negotiations over a Brexit deal, on which the assembly will have the final say in two years' time. / AFP PHOTO / Sebastien BozonSEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP/Getty Images Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France Getty Images

While the EU side speculated that Ms May was causing frustration to break up the talks and win a dominant role in the negotiations, Ms May responded that the EU states were conspiring against the UK and she noted that the talks were going to be “tough”.

The negotiations are set to take two years.