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Theresa May confronts Jean-Claude Juncker in Thatcher-style 'handbag moment' over Brexit

Theresa May channeled her inner Margaret Thatcher today as she confronted EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker in what is being branded her 'handbag moment' over Brexit.

The furious prime minister took Juncker to task over Brexit in front of TV cameras at the start of the second day of the European Council summit in Brussels.

May's public protest came just hours after Juncker had accused her of making "nebulous and imprecise" requests for help in getting the deal through parliament.

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte can be seen rushing over in a bid break-up the embarrassing row which continued as the camera left the room.

May was gripping her handbag during her exchange with Juncker, suggesting that it was pre-planned stunt designed to reassert her authority after another humiliating set back on Thursday.

Juncker was reportedly crucial to a decision by EU leaders to reject her request for assurances that the Irish border backstop wouldn't "trap" the UK.

Now the prime minister has responded by heeding calls from supporters to take inspiration from her Conservative predecessor, Margaret Thatcher, and stage her own 'handbag moment' at the summit.

Thatcher's handbag became a symbol of her fiece approach to politics and to "handbag" was even entered into the dictionary as a way to "ruthlessly" deal with an opponent.,

"Of course, I am obstinate in defending our liberties and our law," Thatcher once said. "That is why I carry a big handbag."

May's stand at the summit will boost her image at home temporarily, but has exposed how far away she is in achieving the "legal and political assurances" over the Brexit deal she promised MPs.

- This article first appeared on Yahoo