Juncker denies describing May as ‘nebulous’, after PM confronts him

Jean-Claude Juncker has denied describing Theresa May as “nebulous” after comments he made about the Brexit debate prompted the Prime Minister to confront him.

Footage of a heated exchange between Mrs May and the European Commission president appeared to show the PM sternly telling Mr Juncker: “You called me nebulous.”

He had told a press conference the Brexit debate is “sometimes nebulous and imprecise”, but was forced to clarify his comments the following day.

Mr Juncker said he was “not addressing” Mrs May in his remarks, and instead intended to direct his criticism at the “overall state” of the Brexit debate in Britain.

Mrs May appeared to berate Mr Juncker over the remarks and, asked about the conversation, said: “I had a robust discussion with Jean-Claude Juncker – I think that’s the sort of discussion you’re able to have when you have developed a working relationship and you work well together.

Mr Juncker was later asked about the video clip, and said: “She thought that I did criticise her by saying yesterday night that the British position was nebulous… I did not refer to her but to the overall state of the debate in Britain.”

He added: “I was not addressing her, and in the course of the morning after having checked what I said yesterday night, she was kissing me.”

Interest in the word “nebulous” rocketed on Friday afternoon, according to the Google Trends team.

The Oxford Dictionary website defines “nebulous” as “in the form of a cloud or haze; hazy” or “(of a concept) vague or ill-defined”.