Depardieu gives up French passport

A French newspaper is quoting actor Gerard Depardieu as saying he is turning in his passport after insults from France’s Socialist prime minister for taking up residence in tax-friendly Belgium.

The Sunday weekly Le Journal du Dimanche published an open letter attributed to Depardieu in which the actor chides Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault for calling him “pathetic” and “unpatriotic” last week for moving to Belgium to escape French taxes.

“I leave after paying 85% of my revenue in 2012,” the letter says. “I turn into you my passport and (my) social security card which I have never used.”

Depardieu, who turns 64 this month, has made more than 100 films.

The Belgian village of Nechin – Depardieu’s new home – has drawn other high-earning French residents.