Van Rompuy: EU could survive without UK, but not France

The European Union could survive if the UK left, but not if it lost France, outgoing European Council president Herman van Rompuy has said.

Mr van Rompuy said he believed the other 27 member states would be ready to look seriously at London’s demands for change, but not to negotiate on the fundamental principles of the EU – something which is usually taken to include the crucial issue of EU workers’ right of free movement.