Collomb resignation is new blow to government

The Prime Minister has had to step into Mr Collomb’s shoes temporarily, though a government spokesman has insisted he will be replaced “in a matter of days”, the resignation is in no way a “political crisis”, and “the state is functioning and the government is doing its job perfectly”.

President Macron was obliged to accept the resignation after Mr Collomb insisted after the President refused his initial request to step down two days ago.

Mr Collomb said he was leaving “with regret” and has given as his reason a wish to enter the running to return to his former job of mayor of Lyon, which he held for 16 years.

A ceremony of passing his ministerial powers to the Prime Minister was held this morning in Place Beauvau, in what was reportedly a somewhat “chilly and confused atmosphere”.

“It’s a mess at the top of the government,” said Socialist Party spokesman Boris Vallaud.

A former Socialist Party politician, Mr Collomb was one of the early supporters of Emmanuel Macron and commentators noted he was visibly very moved and "on the verge of tears" at the ceremony when Mr Macron became president, however relations have cooled between them, with Mr Collomb recently blaming a “lack of humility” for Mr Macron’s decreasing popularity.

Mr Collomb has also faced controversy, with policies seen as tough on immigration.

Under his watch there have been some accusations of police violence towards immigrants, and he was also involved in the Benalla scandal when he was accused by opponents of trying to cover up the alleged violence during a protest in Paris by an official responsible for President Macron’s personal security (who was off duty at the time).