Les Républicains leader says he wants alliance with France’s far-right National Rally

Eric Ciotti's announcement welcomed by Marine Le Pen as brave choice' but seen as betrayal by members of mainstream right

The leader of France's mainstream right has said he would back an alliance with the far right in the snap legislative elections later this month, shocking opponents and party members and throwing French politics into further disarray.

Eric Ciotti's announcement, welcomed by Marine Le Pen as a brave choice", is a historic departure for the opposition right and sparked accusations of betrayal from high-profile members of Les Republicains (LR).