‘Total loss of confidence’: Franco-British relations plumb new depths

Analysis: insiders say French belief that No 10 cannot be trusted has intensified amid Brexit, Covid, migration and Aukus

The British embassy in Paris held a splendid James Bond soiree this week, guests in black tie and evening dress sipping Bollinger and Martinis shaken, not stirred, playing blackjack and admiring the gleaming Aston Martin DB5 in the courtyard.

As projections of British soft power go, it was as potent as any could wish for. Except, as one experienced observer said: There don't seem to be many French policy people about." Another wondered: Were they not invited - or didn't they come?"