Brexit unveils May’s ‘bloody difficult’ side

Britain denies it will pay 100-billion Brexit divorce bill

Prime Minister Theresa May warned the European Union that she will be a “bloody difficult woman” as Britain negotiates an exit strategy from the major economic bloc.

May made the comment on Tuesday after daylong debates over a reportedly “disastrous” dinner meeting between her and European Commission president Jean-Claude Junker at Downing Street last week.

“I think what we’ve seen recently is that at times these negotiations are going to be tough. During the Conservative Party leadership campaign, I was described by one of my colleagues as a bloody difficult woman. And I said at the time the next person to find that out will be Jean-Claude Juncker,” 60-year-old May told the BBC.

Her fierce reaction was in reference to a German newspaper, Frankurter Allgemeine, report based on allegedly leaked information that May and Juncker had clashed at Downing Street over the British PM’s desire to make Brexit “a success” and on whether the issue of protecting the rights of expat British and EU nationals could be agreed as early as June.

Meanwhile, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, unveiled the EU’s Brexit plans on Wednesday, warning that Britain must not hold any illusions of it being a quick and painless process.

“Some have created the illusion that Brexit would have no material impact on our lives or that negotiations can be concluded quickly and painlessly. This is not the case,” he said in Brussels.

Britain’s Brexit minister David Davis warned Wednesday that it would not be bullied in upcoming negotiations with the EU, and rejected a report that its exit bill could reach 100 billion euros.

The Financial Times suggested Britain must settle bills of up to 100 billion euros before leaving.

We will not be paying 100 billion. In the walk-away circumstance there is nothing to be paid. — DAVID DAVIS Britain’s Brexit minister

Some have created the illusion that Brexit will have no material impact on our lives and that it will be painless. This is not the case. —MICHEL BARNIER EU’s chief Brexit negotiator