France and Germany in diplomatic row

France and Germany are embroiled in a diplomatic row after German Chancellor Angela Merkel contradicted a claim by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, on the controversial issue of removing gypsy housing camps.



The issue of the deportation of gypsies from France has dominated a European Union summit in Brussels.



Sarkozy told a news conference that Chancellor Merkel told him she intended to follow France's move of dismantling the camps.



However, the Chancellor's spokesman firmly denied that Merkel had discussed the issue with the French president during the summit.