WATCH as European Commissioner Jean-Claude Juncker is confronted about Brexit talks leaks to a German newspaper claiming PM Theresa May "begged" for a Brexit deal with Brussels.
The Commissioner was forced to distance himself from the rumours following a leak to a German newspaper.
Confronted by BBC Brussels reporter Adam Fleming, Mr Juncker said: "I'm really surprised if not shocked by what has been written in the German press and of course repeated by the British press.
"Nothing is true in all this. I had an excellent working dinner with Theresa May, she was in good shape, she was not tired, she was fighting as is her duty so everything for me was ok."
He firmly denied Mrs May had asked for his help in securing a Brexit deal with Brussels, saying: "That's not the style of British Prime Ministers."
Mr Juncker rubbished reports printed in the Frankfurter Allgemeine claiming he had said Mrs May was "tired" and "desperate" to reach an agreement on Brexit.
The article said: "May did not talk herself up, she begged for help.
It claimed the Prime Minister had complained that hard-line Brexiteers in her Cabinet and among Tory MPs were putting intense pressure on her over Britain's negotiating stance.
"She told him that, at home, friends and enemies were breathing down her neck, waiting for her to fall."
Describing Mrs May as "anxious, despondent and discouraged," the article added: "The Prime Minister is drawn from the struggle within her own party.
"She has deep circles under her eyes; she looks like someone who has not slept for nights on end."
The article was the second highly partisan account of a private Brexit dinner involving Mr Juncker and Mrs May published by the newspaper this year.
In April, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung sparked a massive diplomatic row with claims that Mrs May had come across as being deluded about the reality of the Brexit process.
Mr Juncker's close aide, Martin Selmayr, was blamed for that leak and was accused of briefing the newspaper again.
Both Mr Selmayr and EU Exit Secretary David Davis were present at both meetings.
An EU Commission spokesman said: "Normally, we do not comment on leaks but today I will.
"Some people like to point at us to serve their own political agendas, their own political priorities, or even to undermine our negotiating position.
"We would appreciate if these people would leave us alone. We have lots of work and no time for gossip.