'Not in a different galaxy' over Brexit

British Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday denied she was "in a different galaxy" after European Union leaders were reportedly dismayed by her Brexit negotiating demands at a meeting this week.

May told European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and chief negotiator Michel Barnier that a detailed potential trade deal needed to be drawn up before Britain would agree to pay its EU divorce bill, according to the Sunday Times.

According to the paper, Juncker told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that May was "in a different galaxy," adding that it looked more likely now that no deal would be reached at all.

May told BBC's Andrew Marr Show that she stood by her earlier comment that "no deal was better than a bad deal", and rejected claims that her negotiating stance was unreasonable.

"I'm not in a different galaxy. What this shows is that there are going to be times when these negotiations are going to be tough," she said.

EU leaders unanimously backed a tough Brexit strategy at a summit on Saturday, demanding a "serious response" from Britain on the rights of European citizens before trade talks can start.

The prime minister surprised the political establishment earlier this month by announcing a snap general election for June 8, calling it the "most important election our country has faced in our lifetime."

May is expected to massively increase her Conservative Party's slim majority, saying that would help her "take a strong hand into negotiations".

Actual Brexit negotiations are not expected to begin until after the British election, although the EU is set to give an official mandate to Barnier on May 22.