A “stratospheric improvement” in UK-France relations has taken place under Rishi Sunak, according to a Foreign Office minister.

Andrew Mitchell heaped praise on the work of the Prime Minister to strengthen ties with French president Emmanuel Macron following the actions of his predecessors.

Cross-Channel relations appeared frosty during the tenures of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, with the latter refusing to say whether Mr Macron was a “friend of foe” when she ran for the Tory leadership.

UK-France summit
The UK’s relationship with France is more positive under Rishi Sunak than Boris Johnson or Liz Truss, say ministers (Kin Cheung/PA)

Mr Sunak has been seeking to achieve a more positive relationship with France, including on defence co-operation and tackling migrant small boat crossings.

Speaking in the Commons, Conservative former minister Stephen Crabb said: “2024 marks the 120th anniversary of the signing of the Entente Cordiale with France, it marks 80 years since D-Day and 30 years since the opening of the Channel Tunnel.

“Does (Mr Mitchell) agree with me that this is an incredibly important moment to invest more energy in reinvigorating this important bilateral relationship?”

Mr Mitchell replied: “He will have seen the stratospheric improvement in relations with France and with the president of France that have taken place under this Prime Minister.

“And on the Entente Cordiale, he and I were both celebrating 120 years at the French residence last week and I have no doubt that that relationship, particularly now, is in excellent condition.”