The French president said the Brexit process has 'torn the country apart'
Emmanuel Macron has delivered a brutal assessment of Brexit and the UK's political landscape.
The French president said the Leave campaign used "false" statistics in 2016 and that the exit people voted for in the referendum does not exist.
Macron said: "People are starting to realise that all the figures they were given are entirely false, and what they were told could be done overnight in fact can't be delivered.
"And in the end it's going to cost them. In this context do you think that the referendum was a good thing?
"No, because it didn't allow for an informed, transparent and calm debate. It's torn a society apart, and it's left it open to disinformation coming from abroad, or terrible manipulation."
His take coincides with a rare
intervention from the Queen, using a speech in Sandringham yesterday to urge for tolerance and cooperation.
She said: "Reflecting on a century of change, it is clear that the qualities of the WI endure.
"The continued emphasis on patience, friendship, a strong community focus, and considering the needs of others, are as important today as they were when the group was founded all those years ago.
"Of course, every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities.
"As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture.
"To me, these approaches are timeless, and I commend them to everyone."
