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THIS is the awkward moment Theresa May was asked today if her Brexit deal would be like a "friends with benefits" relationship with the EU.

The PM giggled and claimed she didn't hear the quip from Tory MP Tom Tugendhat as part of a Commons grilling on her agreement.

 Theresa May laughed off suggestions Britain and the UK could have a 'friends with benefits' relationship
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Theresa May laughed off suggestions Britain and the UK could have a 'friends with benefits' relationshipCredit: Parliament.TV

The rising star MP compared the talks as like "divorce" and "marriage" and then went on to ask her if she would change tack at all in the future chats.

But Mrs May insisted: "I'm not sure a remarriage is perhaps the correct analogy for the future. We are going to be very good friends."

But Mr Tugenhart quipped: "Friends with benefits?"

Mrs May replied: "Sorry?" and claimed she'd missed the joke, adding that she would continue to "make sure we have the right people in the right place".

 Tom Tugenhat said the upcoming negotiations might be like marriage talks
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 Tom Tugenhat said the upcoming negotiations might be like marriage talksCredit: Parliament TV

The news came as part of a Commons committee grilling on her deal today from MPs - before she jets off to Argentina to the G20 summit with other world leaders.

Mrs May killed off hopes of a second referendum, saying that "remaining isn't an option".

She insisted that it's not possible to respect the result of our historic 2016 vote and then go on to hold another referendum.

The PM told MPs:  "The point is being inside the EU is not an option, we have to look at what is the best option outside the EU.

"What that shows is the best option outside the EU, which delivers on the vote, but is also best for jobs and economy, is the approach of the Government."

MP Sarah Wollaston, who wants another vote, said that there was still time for one.

 The PM faced a grilling from her MPs today in the Commons
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 The PM faced a grilling from her MPs today in the CommonsCredit: PA:Press Association

But Mrs May slapped her down, saying that it would mean Britain would have to extend Article 50, and that could throw her whole deal up in the air.

"You would have to extend Article 50, then you are in the basis of renegotiating the deal.

"anything like that reopens the negotiations, re-opens the deal."

She said it was "our duty to deliver" for the people on the Leave vote.

"They gave us their view, we should... make that happen."

Elsewhere in her grilling by influential MPs today:

  • She revealed that No Deal planning would need to be ramped up if MPs voted down her deal next month
  • The confidence and supply agreement with the DUP "remains in place" but swerved questions on whether it would survive in future
  • We CAN'T withdraw from her hated Northern Ireland backstop - but hopes it would never be used
  • But she refused to say what her Plan B would be if her plans were thrown out by the Commons
  • And the whole meeting descended into chaos when Tory MP Tom Tugenhat joked that our future relationship would be more like a "friends with benefits arrangement

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