Donald Tusk filmed openly 'rowing' with one of the most senior figures in the EU Commission

Footage shows Mr Tusk waving his hands and pointing at EU Commission general secretary Martin Selmayr

European Council president Donald Tusk has been caught on film openly ‘rowing’ with one of the most senior figures in the EU Commission as a major Brussels summit drew to a close.

Mr Tusk can be seen apparently admonishing general secretary Martin Selmayr, as a shocked-looking Jean Claude Juncker looks on.

Mr Selmayr later tried to play down the incident, saying on social media he had simply been trying to help Mr Tusk answer a question.

It comes at the end of a council summit in Brussels during which European leaders discussed Brexit negotiations and immigration.

The video shows the three men emerging from a door into the main room of the Justus Lipsius building in Brussels as they head to an end-of-summit press conference.

As they walk, Mr Tusk is frantically waving his hands and when Mr Selmayr says something, the council president stops, turns, and points at him while responding forcefully.

The apparently heated conversation continues as they walk through a room followed by their entourages.

Mr Selmayr later tweeted: “The President of the European Council had a factual question to the [EU Commission] before his press conference, and I helped out. Very simple.”