Sarkozy on the attack over Roma expulsions

FRENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy went on the attack over complaints that his policy of expelling Roma gypsies was contrary to EU law, effectively hijacking yesterday’s EU summit.

In what was described by one diplomat as “histrionics” he complained about remarks made by Commission vice-president Viviane Reding, referring to her as “that woman” according to some sources.

France has expelled about 8,000 Roma to Romania and Bulgaria over the past few weeks mostly from illegal camp sites, on the basis they were centres of crime.