French President Nicolas Sarkozy described rumours about his private life as "ravings" Friday, saying he had no time to waste on them.

Sarkozy was asked about the rumours, which started on the Internet and have appeared in the mainstream British media, after talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London.

"You must be unaware what a president of the Republic's diary is like, but I don't have a second, or even half a second, to waste on these ravings," he said.

"I wonder why you use your speaking time to ask such a question," he added, rebuking the French reporter for asking "such a question."

In a press conference dominated by economic and trade policy questions, Brown added: "I've been able to tell Nicolas that I don't believe everything I read in the British press."

"I love England, don't let me bite back those words," added Sarkozy, who did not elaborate when asked again, by a British reporter, about "speculation about your marriage."

The twice-divorced French president married former top model Carla Bruni in 2008 after a whirlwind romance. The new French first lady wowed Britons when she accompanied Sarkozy on a state visit to Britain that year.