France has added fuel to its worst diplomatic row with Italy since the war by deriding the populist coalition as being part of a “nationalist leprosy” sapping the European Union.

France recalled its ambassador to Italy for the first time since 1940 on Thursday after what it called months of “unfounded attacks” from Italian government members Luigi Di Maio and Matteo Salvini.

They have criticised President Emmanuel Macron's economic and migration policies, with Mr Salvini calling him a “terrible president”.

Referring to the ambassadorial withdrawal, French government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said: “It’s not a permanent recall, but it was important to make a statement because Italy is a historic ally and is also a founding member of the European Union.”

While the row had been brewing for months, Paris removed the gloves this week after Mr Di Maio, head of the Five Star movement, held a surprise meeting with the leaders of "yellow vest" protesters in France who have called for Mr Macron to resign.

"The most basic courtesy would have been to notify the government,” said Mr Griveaux.