Relationships between the French government and the European Commission have reached a new low following demands by internal market commissioner Charlie McCreevy that France responds to a second inquiry outlining its involvement in the proposed €35.7bn ($43bn) merger of Gaz de France and Suez.

A source in the French government said: "There is bad feeling between the two sides. We believe McCreevy is trying to do everything he can to make life difficult. It's not just us, Spain and Poland are receiving the same treatment."