The French President will reportedly meet leaders of other opposition parties but not the arch-Brexiteer
French President Emmanuel Macron and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (Image: GETTY)
Nigel Farage is set to be snubbed by Emmanuel Macron on his state visit to Britain, according to reports. The French President is due to meet Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey when he travels to the UK this week.
But no meeting is currently planned for the Reform UK leader, GB News reports. Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Macron are set to discuss immigration when they hold a summit later this week.
The Prime Minister will meet the French leader when he travels to the UK for the state visit.
The two leaders spoke on Saturday, and said they hoped to make “good progress” on the matter in their talks expected on Thursday.
Asked whether the French police’s use of a knife to puncture an inflatable boat last week was a sign of new tactics being employed, the spokesman appeared to suggest a discussed new approach had not yet been rolled out.
He said: “We are the first Government to have secured agreement from the French to review their maritime tactics so their border enforcement teams can intervene in shallow waters.
“This is operationally and legally complex, but we’re working closely with the French. We expect this to be operationalised soon.”
Mr Macron will be hosted by the King on his state visit, which kicks off tomorrow.
The French leader and his wife Brigitte Macron will stay at Windsor Castle from July 8-10.
Issuing a readout of their conversation, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “Turning to the UK-France summit on Thursday, they hoped to make good progress across a wide range of our joint priorities including migration, growth, defence and security.”
Downing Street today insisted the UK’s relationship with France is “key” to tackling small boat crossings.
A No 10 spokesman said the UK’s “joint work with the French is stronger than it has ever been”, adding: “We very much look forward to welcoming President Macron for a historic state visit this week.
“That relationship is key to a number of issues, and we expect to make good progress on a wide range of priorities, including migration, growth, defence and security, which will deliver on the interests of both the British and the French public.
