Prime minister Boris Johnson has congratulated Emmanuel Macron on his victory in yesterday’s French presidential elections.

Johnson, who has often had tense relations with Macron, especially in regards to Brexit negotiations, tweeted: “Congratulations to @EmmanuelMacron on your re-election as President of France. France is one of our closest and most important allies. I look forward to continuing to work together on the issues which matter most to our two countries and to the world. 🇬🇧🇫🇷”

Macron swept to victory with 58.5 per cent of the vote, with National Rally leader Le Pen taking 41.5 per cent.

Macron’s campaign casted Le Pen as a far-right threat to the French republic, and to the security of Europe as the Russian invasion of Ukraine rumbles on.

Macron is the first governing modern French president to secure re-election.

France will hold its parliamentary elections in June.

Emmanuel Macron yesterday secured a second term as French President as he defeated his rival Marine Le Pen to hold onto power.

The contest saw Ms Le Pen secure the highest score for the hard-Right in French political history.

UK technology minister Chris Philp was quizzed by Sky News this morning over whether the rise in Le Pen’s vote share ought to prompt concern.

“I think across Western democracies it is important that leaders listen. I think electorates across the Western world, in America, across Europe, have concerns about issues like the cost of living, like immigration, and it is important that elected governments listen to those concerns and respond to them,” he explained.

He went on: “That applies in many different countries. As far as the French election is concerned we are looking forward to working with President Macron to meet the global challenges that we as free Western countries face together.”