ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

France’s finance minister has said Brits were duped into voting for Brexit as he launched an attack on "lying" UK politicians.

In an impassioned interview, Bruno Le Maire called the referendum a “historic mistake”, arguing voters were tricked into voting to leave the European Union as they were led to believe it would be easy and in their interests.

He told a Paris forum on reforming the World Trade Organisation that the British people were "the main victims" of Brexit.

Speaking to CNBC, Mr Le Maire said: “I think many British politicians have been liars and lied to British people by explaining that it was simple to go out of the European Union, that you could go out without having strong negative consequences on the current daily life of the British people, on the current daily interest of the British companies.

“And now, you are before the truth. The truth that going out of the European Union, that going out of the single markets and going out of one of the most important economic markets of the world is a mistake, with very strong, negative consequences.”

He added: “The truth is Brexit could end with a nightmare”.

Mr Le Maire’s comments come after a chaotic week in the UK, where several ministers resigned.

Rebel Conservative MPs also claimed they have enough names – 48 – to trigger a no-confidence vote in Theresa May’s leadership.

Theresa May’s government has also seen a dramatic reshuffle, with Amber Rudd MP making a return to the cabinet, and a new Brexit Secretary appointed.

Mr Le Maire said it would be the UK’s sovereign choice to choose to leave the EU.

He added: “If you want to go out, you go out, that’s your sovereign decision, even if you regret it.”

“I hope in 15 years British people will realise that it is in their interest to go back to the European Union.”