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French minister quits over sexual harassment accusation French minister quits over sexual harassment accusation
(40 minutes later)
A French junior minister accused of having sexually harassed staff of a town hall where he is mayor has resigned from the government.A French junior minister accused of having sexually harassed staff of a town hall where he is mayor has resigned from the government.
Civil service minister Georges Tron, who denies the allegations, told Le Parisien on Saturday he did not want to be a burden to the government. Civil Service Minister Georges Tron, who denies the allegations, says he does not want to be a burden to the government.
His resignation comes in the wake of the US arrest of ex-IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn earlier this month.His resignation comes in the wake of the US arrest of ex-IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn earlier this month.
He is charged with sexually assaulting a chamber maid in a New York hotel.He is charged with sexually assaulting a chamber maid in a New York hotel.
In the wake of the Strauss-Kahn case, there has been speculation internationally over whether France is prepared to re-examine its strict observance of privacy laws to report scandals affecting politicians.In the wake of the Strauss-Kahn case, there has been speculation internationally over whether France is prepared to re-examine its strict observance of privacy laws to report scandals affecting politicians.
'Foot massages'
A statement on Sunday by Prime Minister Francois Fillon's office said Mr Tron had acted "in the general interest" but his resignation did not prejudice his case.A statement on Sunday by Prime Minister Francois Fillon's office said Mr Tron had acted "in the general interest" but his resignation did not prejudice his case.
French prosecutors have opened an investigation into the allegations of harassment, brought by two former municipal employees. French prosecutors have opened an investigation into the allegations of harassment, brought by two former municipal employees in the town hall of the Paris suburb of Draveil.
Mr Tron denies the allegations, which he has described as incredible". The two women accuse Mr Tron of molesting them on the pretext of giving them foot massages, when they worked for him.
One said the therapy "degenerated quickly", according to the Associated Press news agency.
One of the women, known only as Laura, told Le Parisien newspaper, said she was inspired to take action by the Strauss-Kahn case.
"When I see that a little chambermaid is capable of taking on Dominique Strauss-Kahn, I tell myself I do not have the right to stay silent," she said.
"Other women may be suffering what I suffered. I have to help them. We have to break this code of silence."
Mr Tron denies the allegations, which he has described as "incredible".
He is counter-suing his accusers for slander.
"All of this is grotesque," his lawyer Olivier Schnerb said. "It's a succession of false assertions that are entirely defamatory."