Eric Zemmour, who represents a major threat to Mr Macron in next year’s Presidential election, warned Paris to stop its attempts to bully Britain - branding it a “pathetic mindset”. Mr Macron, smarting at Britain’s refusal to grant what he deems sufficient licences for French boats to operate in UK waters, is threatening a range of punitive measures.

       These could including restrictions on UK imports, and targeting the energy supplies to the Channel Island of Jersey.

       Right-winger Mr Zemmour said: “The fishing problem should involve negotiations between friends.

       “The French should stop saying the British should pay because they left the EU.“And the British should stop saying the French are worthless and we should get rid of them.”

       Mr Zemmour added: "There should be room for friendly negotiations.

       “I don’t like the mindset of wanting to constantly make the English pay so as to show the other EU states that they should not leave EU. This is a pathetic mindset.”

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