Francois Hollande follows Angela Merkel’s lead and warns Britain ‘must be made to pay’ for leaving the EU to scare other nations into staying

• .President Hollande said the UK would have to 'pay' for the Brexit 'crisis'
• .He said it would be up to France and Germany to defend the EU 
• .Mrs Merkel said Britain could not access EU markets if it curbs immigration

By PETER ALLEN IN PARIS FOR MAILONLINE

French President Francois Hollande has launched a furious attack on Britain's decision to leave the EU - saying it would have to 'pay' for the Brexit 'crisis'.

He echoed the sentiments of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who yesterday said that Britain could not be given access to the European Union's internal market if it limits immigration, as it would lead to a free-for-all in Europe. 

He also made it clear that it would be up to his own country and Germany, the founding fathers of the European project, to defend it.

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French President Francois Hollande has said Britain would have to 'pay' for the Brexit 'crisis'

The head of state's words - made during a dinner in Paris on Thursday night -caused fluctuations in the currency markets, with the pound once again falling against the euro.

'Today the UK wants to leave but pay nothing. That is not possible," said Mr Hollande 'It is neither in the interest of the EU, nor the UK to remain in a situation of ambiguity.'

Mr Hollande said 'Britain has decided to go for a Brexit, in fact I believe a hard Brexit. Well, we have to follow through with Britain's wishes to leave the European Union and we need to be firm.

'If not, we would jeopardise the fundamental principles of the EU' he added, warning that other EU countries might be tempted to leave too.

'Europe has always been in crisis,' said Mr Hollande. 'But this time, it is not a further crisis. This is the crisis!'

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Theresa May has promised controls on immigration, but President Hollande has joined Angela Merkel is saying Britain will not receive special treatment

Mr Hollande was speaking at an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Jacques Delors Institute in Paris.

The dinner was attended by European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, and the EU's main Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier.

Mr Hollande's warning comes after the Prime minister Theresa May announced that the UK would trigger the process of leaving the EU by the end of March 2017.

Angela Merke has said that Britain could not be given access to the European Union's internal market if it limits, as it would lead to a free-for-all in Europe.

Mrs May also hinted that that immigration controls would be viewed by her government as more important thanaccess to the single market.

Britain's decision to leave the EU on June 23th sparked turmoil in financial markets, and that has continued.

 There are fears that exit from the EU could mark a turning point in post-Cold War international affairs that will weaken the West in relation to China and Russia, undermine efforts toward European integration and damage global free trade.

Mr Hollande urged the 'architects' of the EU - a reference to France and Germany - to strengthen the bloc's 'foundations'.

Mr Hollande said: 'Europe is our values, a culture, which deserve to be defended fiercely and everywhere. As Delors put it, this is our Europe..'

Merkel: Access to EU market should be linked to free movement

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