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Theresa May was slapped down over Britain's EU divorce during a disastrous dinner with the EU's top Brexit team, it was claimed today.

The Prime Minister was warned that “ Brexit cannot be a success" by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker over a meal in Downing Street last week, it was reported.

The Tory leader had tried to insist the UK owes Brussels nothing because there is nothing to that effect in the treaties - despite EU suggestions Britain could be hit with a £50billion divorce bill.

Mr Juncker told her the EU “is not a golf club” where members can quit and pay no more cash.

(Image: Getty)

And in a sign of how badly the meal went, Mr Juncker apparently told the PM: “I leave Downing Street 10 times as sceptical as I was before.”

Following the dinner, No 10 issued a brief statement saying Mrs May "had a constructive meeting" over the "useful working dinner".

But the full details of the meal, reported by German newspaper Frankfurter am Zeitung, reveal the looming battle over Britain's EU exit.

Mr Juncker and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier were allegedly astonished at Mrs May's belief the crucial issue of what happens to the three million EU citizens living in the UK and the hundreds of thousands of British expats based on the continent could be resolved at an EU Council in June.

The Brussels pair thought the timetable too optimistic, the paper reported.

“The more I hear, the more sceptical I become,” Mr Juncker was said to have told his hosts.

(Image: Getty)

Mrs May also hoped monthly Brexit talks could take place, each lasting four days, with all details remaining secret until the end of the process.

But the leaks to FAZ blow a huge hole in that hope.

The paper told how the Commission fears Mrs May wants to frustrate the daily business of the remaining 27 members, to improve her own negotiating position.

Ministers have previously denied plotting a divide and rule approach.

The account also revealed the PM's apparent irritation at Brexit Secretary David Davis telling the guests how, as a backbencher, he helped challenge the then Home Secretary Mrs May in the courts over data retention.

He reportedly told the tale three times.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn today accused the PM of "megaphone" diplomacy, saying: "She seems to be sending rather mixed messages.

"Of course they're going to be difficult but you start from the basis that you want to reach an agreement.

(Image: REUTERS)

"You start from the basis that you have a lot of shared interests and values and a very important trading relationship with Europe.

"If you start from that basis and show respect you're more likely to get a good deal - whereas if you start with the megaphone calling people silly names it's not a great start to anything."

Labour's leader said he was looking forward to meeting the European Commission chief himself for "sensible" talks, adding: "We will approach it with respect and sense and bring about a good deal."

Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said today: “Whatever the purpose of these leaks, this is a deeply worrying account and further evidence that Theresa May’s rigid and complacent approach to Brexit negotiations risks leading Britain over a cliff edge.

“It is clearer by the day that an extreme Tory Brexit poses a severe risk to the British economy and to people’s jobs and living standards.

(Image: Barcroft Media)

“Theresa May talks about strengthening her hand, but in reality she has misjudged her hand at every turn, weakening Britain’s position. By refusing to acknowledge the complexity and magnitude of the task ahead the Prime Minister increases the risk that there will be no deal, which is the worst of all possible outcomes.

“In pursuing a rigid and complacent approach, the Prime Minister now finds herself marginalised and isolated across the continent.”

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: "These reports blow a massive hole in the Conservative Party's arguments.

"Theresa May chose a divisive hard Brexit , with Labour's help, and now has no idea what to do next.

"This government has no plan and no clue and this shows it starkly.”

A Government spokesman said: “We do not recognise this account.

“As the Prime Minister and Jean-Claude Juncker made clear, this was a constructive meeting ahead of the negotiations formally getting underway.”