Macron steps up warnings over French far right before first-round vote

President criticises very clear xenophobia and ultraconservative aims' as Marine Le Pen gains ground

Emmanuel Macron has ramped up his warnings of the danger posed by Marine Le Pen before the first-round vote in France's presidential election this weekend, as he acknowledged he had not managed to contain all voters' fears and hold back the far right during his time in office.

As Macron campaigns to become the first French president in 20 years to serve a second term, he has often been reminded of his 2017 victory speech in front of the Louvre where, after defeating Le Pen with 66% of the vote, he promised to ensure people had no more reason to vote for extremes".