Amber Rudd has slammed European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker as “ghastly” adding that his “grotesque” behaviour towards women should be officially investigated.
The Work and Pensions Secretary hit out over footage from last week's European Council meeting in Brussels which showed him playing with a woman's hair.
Ms Rudd told The Telegraph he would probably have been subject to an official complaint if it happened in the UK.
In a wide-ranging interview, which will fuel speculation she has leadership ambitions, she said: "It's grotesque. I mean, if that happened in our Parliament I hope there would be a formal complaint.
"When I used to go the EU for meetings, I often had a terrible cold to insist that I didn't get enveloped in a bear hug.
"All the EU commissioners love doing their big hugs."
Mr Juncker, a former prime minister of Luxembourg, also clashed with Prime Minister Theresa May at the EU summit centre.
The pair were caught on camera having a robust discussion the day after Mr Juncker used a press conference to describe her negotiating strategy as "nebulous".
Ms Rudd added: "(He's) ghastly. What I minded before that were those pictures of the way he was holding the Prime Minister. I did not like that."
The former minister for women and equalities replaced Esther McVey at the Department for Work and Pensions a month ago having been sacked as Home Secretary over the Windrush Scandal.
