Theresa May today appeared not to know what ‘friends with benefits’ are, in an exchange that was exactly as awkward as you think it was.

The Prime Minister stuttered over the eye-popping question at a 90-minute hearing of Parliament’s Liaison Committee.

The ‘supergroup’ of MPs, each of whom chairs their own committee, had a rare audience with the PM on Brexit.

Usually the group has a reputation for asking dull procedural questions which she has a reputation for not answering.

But Tory MP Tom Tugendhat – regularly tipped as a future leadership contender – seized the limelight.

He described leaving the EU as "the most complex divorce talks" ever, followed by "the most complex marriage negotiations" as the UK tries to get a trade deal.

"I’m not sure a remarriage is perhaps the correct analogy," Theresa May replied.

"We’re going to be very good friends and working closely together."

He interjected: "Friend with benefits, Prime Minister?"

As laughter erupted in the Commons committee room, the PM stalled.

"Uhh, sorry?" she said, leaning forward. "I missed your quip, I’m sorry."

"Friends with benefits, Prime Minister?" the Foreign Affairs Committee chief asked again, firmly.

Mrs May sat back up, almost as if she hadn’t heard the question.

Either she didn’t hear him, or she didn’t know what he meant, or she just tried to pretend she didn’t know.

Key points from UK’s 611-page Brexit deal with EU

The Brexit deal agreed by Theresa May and the EU covers two areas: the Withdrawal Agreement, covering the UK’s exit from the EU, and the Political Declaration on a Future Framework, which sets out the relationship with the EU after Britain leaves.

Key details on the Brexit deal include:

1. The Withdrawal Agreement

• The transition period can be extended until 2022 – after the next election
• Goods face being checked between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK
• A ‘backstop’ could extend EU customs rules UK-wide – and we’d need Brussels’ permission to quit
• European courts will still have a big hold on the UK

2. The Future Framework

• "Comprehensive arrangements that will create a free trade area" – not exactly the "frictionless trade" hoped for
• Possible EU access to British fishing waters
• We would remain tied to European courts
• We’d respect human rights laws
• Visas needed for long term trips to the EU
• It has built in vagueness – kicking the can down the road for further negotiations

Read about the deal in more depth here.

"Um, the, er, but, uh," she said.

"But obviously as we go through this process we will continue to… make sure we have the right people in the right place… for the task in hand."

‘Friends with benefits’ is a phrase to describe people who have sex but are not in a relationship.

Theresa May has been happily married to husband Philip since 1980.

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