Boris Johnson has launched an offensive against France’s central bank governor, accusing him of a “naked attempt to steal London’s financial crown”, write James Pickford in London and Hugh Carnegy in Paris.

The mayor of London spoke out after Christian Noyer, governor of the Banque de France, told the Financial Times the eurozone nations should gain “control” of the bulk of the currency union’s financial business, which is centred on the City of London. Mr Johnson told the Evening Standard newspaper: “This is a desperate French attack in an effort to make something out of the eurozone crisis?.?.?.?shows utter contempt for the principles of the single?market?and?it?will?not?succeed.”

Mr Noyer said there was “no rationale” for allowing the eurozone’s financial centre to be “offshore”, prompting sharp rebukes not only from Mr Johnson but also Vince Cable, the UK business secretary.