Emmanuel Macron's bid to recast himself as a man of the people has hit an instant snag after a photo emerged of the French president embracing a member of the public who gives the camera the finger.

Far-Right leader Marine Le Pen called the photo “unforgivable” while members of the mainstream Right suggested the president - whose approval ratings are at an all-time low amid accusations he is arrogant and out of touch - had fallen too far, too fast from his lofty presidential pedestal.

Mr Macron said the picture, taken during a meeting with locals in a poor neighbourhood of the part-French Caribbean island of Saint-Martin, was criticised out of context and, on the contrary, proved that he “loved each and every child of the Republic, whatever mischief they make”.

The photo was taken on Saturday as Mr Macron toured a neighbourhood of the island and witnessed repair work a year after hurricane Irma wreaked devastation.

The president visited a home and chatted to two young men. The first told him that he had recently been released from prison after a stint for armed robbery. Mr Macron told him to “stop troublemaking”, adding: “Your mother deserves better.”