Brexit 'not a priority' for the EU says French ambassador
The French ambassador to the UK has said Brexit as 'not a priority' for the EU and dismissed concerns about high levels of immigration as 'exaggerated'.
Sylvie Bermann said that while Britain talks about Brexit at 'morning, lunch and dinner' Europe is determined to carry on its mission to 'strengthen the EU'.
And in an apparent swipe at Theresa May, she said French President Emmanuel Macron was able to host Donald Trump in Paris because he enjoyed huge support in France.
Mrs May has put off the US President's promised state visit to Britain until at least next year amid fears that it would spark massive protests.
French President Sylvie Bermann said the UK is consumed by Brexit at morning lunch and dinner, whereas Brexit is not a priority in Europe. She also dismissed concerns over spiralling rates of immigration into Britain as 'scaremongering'
In an interview to mark the end of her stint in Britain, Miss Bermann gave short shrift to the UK's looming departure from the Brussels club.
She told The Guardian: 'Brexit in the morning, Brexit for lunch and Brexit for dinner.
'It is not the case in France or in Europe â€" the priority in the EU is to protect and strengthen the EU and to deal with migration crisis.Â
'Brexit is not a priority for us.'
Anger at EU free movement rules which had led to spiralling rates of immigration and undermined Britain's ability to control its own borders drove ma ny to back Leave in last year's historic referendum.
Theresa May, pictured meeting with the new  French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in June. The French ambassador appeared to take a swipe at Theresa May by contrasting the British PM's political weakness with the popularity enjoyed by Mr Macron
Mr Macron, pictured in a long handshake with Donald Trump as their wives Melania Trump and Brigitte Macron watch on. Miss Bermann said the French President was able to host the US leader because he was politically strongÂ
But Miss Bermann dismissed these concerns telling the newspaper that 'generally speaking this scaremongering about immigration was exaggerated'.
And she was scathing in her assessment of the campaign in the run up to the vote, saying 'there was no debate before the election'.
The diplomat also appeared to take a dig at Mrs May over her weak position following the Tory Party election disaster.Â
The Prime Minister had been predicted to lead her party to a stomping victory.
But instead her majority was wiped out and she is propped up in No10 with the support of the DUP's ten MPs in exchange for pouring £1billlion into Northern Ireland, and has been dogged by questions over a possible leadership challenge.
Ms Bermann contrasted the PM's wobbly position in Downing Street with the newly victorious Mr Macron, who swept into the French presidency and won a majority in the Assembly elections with his new party en Marche.
The ambassador said the election of Mr Macron had made French people 'more optimistic' and boosted respect for the country across the world.
The French ambassador described Philip Hammond as a 'very wise man' while she said she like Boris Johnson from his time as the hugely popular Mayor of London
And it allowed him to invite the US President without fearing mass protests, she added.
She said: Â 'You need to be strong internally to be able to have a strong diplomacy and I think that Emmanuel Macron was very firm with Donald Trump and that is why he was also able to invite him to Bastille Day [in Paris].'
She added that for 'the time being it is probably easier for France to have a complete relationship with the US' as a Trump visit in Britain would trigger protests.
She also cast her verdict on possible Tory leadership contenders Philip Hammond and Boris Johnson.
She said the Chan cellor is 'a very wise man, and he is a very knowledgeable man'.
While she said she likes the Foreign Secretary form his time as London Mayor.
She said: 'I like Boris Johnson. It is not about Brexit â€" he was very supportive as mayor of London and he was the one who decided to illuminate Trafalgar square with the Tricolore.'
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