Emmanuel Macron 'would not punish UK for Brexit' if he wins French presidency

Mr Macron said: "The question is not to punish the UK for a vote made by British people.

"My priority will be to protect the European Union, the interests of the European Union, and the interests of European citizens.

"And my deep wish is to have Great Britain with the European Union in another relationship.

"I think especially on defence matters it's important to work together."

Polls show Mr Macron making the second round run-off in May and beating the National Front's Marine Le Pen in that battle.

The centrist independent candidate said he had already established a good relationship with Britiah Prime Minister Theresa May.

"We have a very good relationship, and I had the opportunity to meet with Theresa May a few weeks ago when I came to London.

"My willingness is first to organise at the EU level the Brexit during the coming months. And it is important for me to have a co-ordinated approach at the EU level and not just to have a bilateral approach.

"We have a bilateral relationship with the UK, especially on security, migration and defence, and that is any agenda we have to share together.

"But my willingness is to work in order to improve on the short and long-run interests of France and the EU."

Mr Macron expressed his solidarity with London after the Westminster attack, and Mr Khan stressed that the two countries needed to work even closer together on security after Brexit.

On the day Mrs May was triggering Article 50, Mr Khan said he wanted to emphasis to Mr Macron that it is as much in France's interest as it is the UK's to cut a fair deal.

The two men also discussed the future of the centre-left in Europe.

The meeting came as Mr Macron's campaign was given a boost with former French socialist prime minister Manuel Valls saying he will back the centrist.