FRENCH president
Emmanuel Macron is backing a cross-party coalition of Remainer MPs in an astonishing intervention.
Mr Macron is supporting a plan led by the Tory MP
George Freeman to create a new cross-party coalition of MPs who are opposed to a no-deal
Brexit.
Mr Freeman has claimed that there will be an economic meltdown if the
UK withdraws from the EU without an agreement in March.
The French leader has sent a letter of support to a political rally being hosted by Mr Freeman next month.
Mr Macron has sent a letter to the Tory MP saying: “I would like to welcome your initiative and wish you all the best for the success of the new edition of this event.
“I am convinced that this forum will contribute fully to the reflection on the issues we are jointly facing. In renewing my thanks, I beg you to believe, sir, the assurance of my best feelings.”
The group also wants to join forces to stop Brexit "fuelling extremism in the UK".
Mr Freeman supports a Brexit with a ‘Norway-style’ relationship with the
European Union so the UK would pay to stay in the European Economic Area.
Earlier this month
Theresa May flew to the south of
France to appeal for Macron’s help with Brexit.
The UK prime minister was aiming to persuade Macron to soften the EU resistance to her Brexit plan.
In the past Macron has dismissed any attempts to involve him in the Brexit talks.
Mrs May has been under pressure to win support across Europe after her plan forged in Chequers sparked both David Davis and Boris Johnson to resign.
Mrs May met with the Norfolk MP shortly before the crucial Brexit vote in June regarding whether parliament should get a final say on the deal.
However after meeting with Mrs May, he told the Eastern Daily Press: “I’ve been to see the prime minister and received important undertakings and decided to vote to give the prime minister the authority and freedom to negotiate the best deal she can”.
The government is due to publish on Thursday the first technical notice to prepare the UK for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.
Brexit Secretary, Dominic Raab, said the Brexit advice was necessary to "mitigate the risks and make sure the UK is ready to make a success of Brexit".