Former chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier made a stunning political comeback yesterday as he was named as France's oldest ever prime minister.

In an appointment designed to end two months of political deadlock in Paris, the 73-year-old has been asked to form 'a unifying government in the service of the country'.

Mr Barnier became a bete noire of Brexiteers because of his tough bargaining skills during the Brexit negotiations.

But French president Emmanuel Macron is hoping the former minister might be able to hold together a new government following July's snap election.

Mr Barnier has previously praised Sir Keir Starmer, who was shadow Brexit secretary through the bitter divorce proceedings between the UK and Brussels.

The French politician last year described the now-Prime Minister as 'a European like me – a patriot and European'.

In his diaries, Mr Barnier described Sir Keir as the British politician 'who impresses me the most for his ability to grasp in detail what is at stake in Brexit negotiations. I get the feeling that Keir Starmer will one day be UK prime minister'. Asked for Sir Keir's response to Mr Barnier's appointment, a Downing Street spokesman said: 'We wish him all the best in his new role. The UK enjoys a strong relationship with France.

'The PM visited Paris just last week, and we are committed to working collaboratively on our shared priorities, from tackling illegal migration to supporting Ukraine and ­delivering sustainable ­economic growth.'

She added: 'We want to reset our relations with the EU and make Brexit work better for ­British people.'

But Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was scathing about Mr Barnier's appointment, describing him as 'an EU fanatic that will suit sell-out Starmer'.

Tory former Brexit secretary Sir David Davis described him as a 'solid Frenchman', who is 'steady' and able to handle pressure. 'The current prime minister of France is going to have a lot of difficult political tasks to ­balance and I think he will do a good job of it,' he told BBC Radio 4's PM programme.

Asked what Mr Barnier would be like with British relations, he said: 'It will be no different from what the European Union stance always is, which is they will look for their advantage.

'Nothing comes for nothing with the ­European Union, and Michel will agree with that strategy entirely – he will not change that at all – as indeed Macron agrees too.'

Mr Barnier succeeds Gabriel Attal, 35, who was less than half his age and who served only eight months in office during a period of ­political turbulence unprecedented in recent times in France.

But the decision to name Mr Barnier as prime minister was greeted with dismay by the French Left, who will seek to topple him with a no-confidence motion.

Controversially, Mr Macron appears to be counting on the far-Right National Rally of Marine Le Pen to keep Mr Barnier in power by ­voting against such a motion.