Sacre bleu! France and UK at war over banker's intervention

FRENCH calls for Britain to lose its triple-A credit rating have further soured cross-channel relations. Following President Sarkozy's critical response to David Cameron's Brussels veto, the governor of the Bank of France, Christian Noyer, has suggested that Britain deserves to lose its top credit rating more than France. Are the French getting desperate?
 
Entente discordiale

Relations between Britain and France have "plunged to a new low", says the Daily Mail. The "inflammatory attack" by Christian Noyer on Britain's "gold-plated" credit rating adds to "evidence of a cross-channel 'Entente Discordiale' over the future of the euro".
 
The blunt remarks are the latest sign of Anglo-French tension, says James Kirkup in The Daily Telegraph. The hostility has mounted since last week's Brussels summit, after which Sarkozy reportedly described the Prime Minister as behaving like a "stubborn child". But with the latest comments from Noyer, "French leaders declare a war of words on Britain".
 
Noyer is a fool

The gall of the Gaul! says The Sun. "Treacherous Christian Noyer wrongly says UK finances are in an even worse state than theirs — and that we should be first to lose our AAA credit rating, bringing mortgage misery for millions."
 
Yes, our economy's in trouble — like everyone else's, adds the tabloid. But we have already started an austerity programme other nations have barely got to grips with. “Monsieur Noyer, you're a AAA-rated fool."
 
Noyer’s comments inexcusable

An editorial in The Times says Sarkozy may have gained a few favourable headlines by giving David Cameron a bit of a kicking, but “beneath the posturing, France is facing a grave crisis”.
 
Given the severity, and the ill-will generated by the summit, it is not surprising that relations between Britain and France are showing signs of strain, adds the Times. But raising doubts about Britain’s credit rating is “inexcusable”. There is only one good answer when asked about another country’s rating. “Sans commentaire.”
 
France hurting itself

Talk that the ratings agencies might downgrade France's credit rating must be driving French politicians and policymakers crazy, says Nils Pratley in The Guardian. But what is Noyer doing talking in public about another country's credit rating? It is a massive breach of central banking etiquette.
 
Of course, our own chancellor, George Osborne put his foot in it last month by saying "markets are even asking questions about France”, and Cameron’s veto last week “inflamed tensions”, adds Pratley. “But central bank governors should not be lashing out. He makes the ECB, not just France, look seriously rattled.” ·