Theresa May slaps down wannabe French president Emmanuel Macron over his plan to poach British banks after Brexit
The PM hit back at Emmanuel Macron’s offer to call for 'banks, talents, researchers, academics' to flock from London to France
THERESA May slapped down the French Presidential favourite after he called for an exodus of bankers to Paris from the doorstep of No10.
The PM hit back at Emmanuel Macron’s offer to call for “banks, talents, researchers, academics” to flock from London to France following a private meeting in Downing Street.
Mrs May’s spokesman blasted: “The simple fact is London is a leading global financial centre and will remain so after Brexit.”
And they added: “We are not the only one to think that either.”
Visiting the 200,000 French voters who live in London, the former French finance minister requested a meeting with the PM where they discussed Brexit.
But following their private chat, Mr Macron stepped out of the famous black door of No10 to tell the waiting cameras he has a “series of initiatives to get talented people in research and lots of fields working here to come to France.”
Polls show Mr Macron is currently the frontrunner to replace hated President Hollande when France goes to the polls in May.
He claimed that “France and the European Union are a very attractive space now, so in my programme I will do everything I can to make it attractive and successful.”
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But No10 hit back saying: “The British economy is open to investment, Britain is open for business.”
And in a win for Mrs May, Mr Macron also signalled a u-turn on his threat to tear up border agreements with the UK that see passports checked in France before passengers cross the Channel.
He had said last year that if the UK backed Brexit the deal would “unravel” and any migrants would be sent straight to Britain rather than detained in Calais.
But he rowed back and said he wished to “improve” the Le Touquet agreement that was signed in 2003 and is recognised by the UN.
Speaking in English, Mr Macron said he had assured the PM that he wished for a “fair” Brexit, but warned any deal must “protect and defend French and European interests”.
He also backed conducting negotiations over a future trade deal at the same time as hammering out our EU divorce, in a further boost for Britain.
Asked about Mr Macron’s threats poach bankers from the UK to France, arch-Brexiteer Iain Duncan Smith told the French hopeful to “dream on”, adding there was “fat chance” of his plan working.
Mr Macron later addressed 3,000 french citizens at an event in Westminster.