Juncker Regrets Talks With May Leaked, Says Prime Minister ‘Tough Lady’

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says he regrets that details of his reportedly tense meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May last week were leaked to the press.

Asked Wednesday whether he was bothered that news of the private dinner talks was made public, Juncker said only: “Yes.”

A German report said that Juncker left the meeting saying he was “10 times more skeptical than I was before” that negotiations will succeed. May dismissed the report as “Brussels gossip.”

May also vowed Tuesday to be a “bloody difficult woman” in Brexit talks with the bloc, after EU officials accused the U.K. of failing to grasp the complexity of the task ahead as Britain leaves the bloc.

Juncker said: “I have noted that she is a tough lady,” adding: “I like her as a person.”