Hollande confirms Trierweiler split

PRESIDENT Hollande has confirmed his split with Valérie Trierweiler, two weeks after a French gossip magazine published photos of him with the actress Julie Gayet.

Hollande told the French news agency AFP tonight: "I am making it known that I have put an end to my shared life with Valerie Trierweiler."

Trierweiler was admitted to hospital with a stress-related illness within hours of the affair claims being made public.

Since leaving hospital she has been staying at an official presidential residence near Versailles.

Julie Gayet is suing Closer magazine for breach of privacy. Sales of the magazine doubled when the photographs were published.