French actor Gerard Depardieu, claiming he was "insulted" by critics for becoming a tax exile in Belgium, announced he was giving up his French passport, reports AFP.
The 63-year-old star said in an open letter to Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, published by the Journal du Dimanche on Sunday: "I don't ask to be approved, but I could at least be respected!"
Earlier in the week the French prime minister described the Cyrano de Bergerac star's decision to quit France as "pathetic."
In his letter Depardieu responded: "All those who have left France have not been insulted as I have been."
Depardieu said he had always paid his taxes and asked the prime minister: "Who are you to judge me in this way?"
Read more of this report from AFP.