Francois Hollande confirms separation from Valerie Trierweiler

France’s President Francois Hollande has confirmed his separation from Valerie Trierweiler.

Francois Hollande told the French news agency AFP that their “shared life” had ended.

Earlier, his office at the Elysee Palace denied split reports.

Two weeks ago Closer magazine published photos which appeared to show Francois Hollande had been having an affair with actress Julie Gayet.

Valerie Trierweiler spent a week in hospital after the revelations.

Francois Hollande, who has never denied having an affair with Julie Gayet, has admitted to a “difficult moment” in his relationship with Valerie Trierweiler.

At the time, he promised to clarify the situation before his official visit to Washington on February 11.

Francois Hollande told AFP he was speaking in a personal capacity and not as the head of state.

“I am making it known that I have put an end to my shared life with Valerie Trierweiler,” the president said.

On Thursday, Valerie Trierweiler sacked her lawyer for saying she was seeking to end her relationship with Francois Hollande “with the greatest possible dignity”.

Valerie Trierweiler, who has continued to work as a journalist for the glossy magazine Paris-Match, is travelling to India on Sunday in support of the work of the French charity Action Against Hunger.

Since she left hospital, Valerie Trierweiler has been staying at an official residence, La Lanterne, near Versailles.

“He [Francois Hollande] has consulted her and brought her up to date, she accepts the situation as a fait accompli, but she is leaving it to him to take the initiative,” a member of Valerie Trierweiler’s entourage told the newspaper Le Parisien.

Valerie Trierweiler and Francois Hollande have never married.