Hollande gets support from allies and opponents over Trierweiler’s kiss and tell

Political allies and opponents lined up to denounce what some described as an outrageous and indecent attack on President Francois Hollande by his former partner.

In a show of unity that had thus far eluded the French leader during more than two years in power, there was widespread shock and anger at the deeply intimate kiss-and-tell written by Valerie Trierweiler.

Journalist Trierweiler, pushed out of the Elysee Palace after Hollande's affair with actor Julie Gayet was revealed in January, vented her scorn and fury in the 320-page memoir: Merci Pour ce Moment (Thank You for the Moment). While detailing her own misery and heartbreak she portrayed the president as cold, calculating and - perhaps most damagingly for a Socialist politician - dismissive of the country's poor, whom she claimed he disliked and branded sans dents (toothless).

Le Parisien newspaper had just one-word for the blatant score settling. "Pathetic", read its headline.

The French prime minister, Manuel Valls, said: "When you lower the public debate with outrageous attacks or mix public and private lives, you debase the debate." He called for respect for everyone and dignity.

The president of the far-right National Front, Marine Le Pen, was scathing, describing the book as a dishonour for France. "A dishonour as much for the person speaking, as the person being spoken about," Le Pen added.