This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-europe-13589189
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| A statement by the prime minister said Civil Service Minister Georges Tron had acted "in the general interest", and noted he denied the allegations. | A statement by the prime minister said Civil Service Minister Georges Tron had acted "in the general interest", and noted he denied the allegations. |
| 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' | 'Foot massages' |
| A statement on Sunday by Prime Minister Francois Fillon's office said Mr Tron's resignation did not prejudice his case. | A statement on Sunday by Prime Minister Francois Fillon's office said Mr Tron's resignation did not prejudice his case. |
| "The prime minister, together with the president of the republic, takes note of this decision, which does not in any way prejudice the next steps the justice system will take with regard to the complaints made against Georges Tron, the legitimacy of which he contests," it said. | "The prime minister, together with the president of the republic, takes note of this decision, which does not in any way prejudice the next steps the justice system will take with regard to the complaints made against Georges Tron, the legitimacy of which he contests," it said. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The two women accuse Mr Tron of molesting them on the pretext of giving them foot massages, when they worked for him, on several occasions between 2007 and 2010. | |
| One said the therapy "degenerated quickly", according to the Associated Press news agency. | One said the therapy "degenerated quickly", according to the Associated Press news agency. |
| "If the facts alleged are established, they could come under the headings of sexual aggression and rape." said prosecutor Marie-Suzanne Le Queau on Wednesday. | "If the facts alleged are established, they could come under the headings of sexual aggression and rape." said prosecutor Marie-Suzanne Le Queau on Wednesday. |
| One of the women, known only as Laura, told Le Parisien newspaper, said she was inspired to take action by the Strauss-Kahn case. | 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. | "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." | "Other women may be suffering what I suffered. I have to help them. We have to break this code of silence." |
| Mr Tron, who is married with three children, denies the allegations, which he has described as "incredible". | |
| He is counter-suing his accusers for slander. | 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." | "All of this is grotesque," his lawyer Olivier Schnerb said. "It's a succession of false assertions that are entirely defamatory." |
| Mr Tron has also attempted to link the case to far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen, hinting she was close to the lawyer representing the alleged victims. | Mr Tron has also attempted to link the case to far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen, hinting she was close to the lawyer representing the alleged victims. |
| Ms Le Pen responded by saying she would sue him for defamation. | Ms Le Pen responded by saying she would sue him for defamation. |
| "I will not let my reputation be called into question in order to save his," she told French radio on Thursday. | "I will not let my reputation be called into question in order to save his," she told French radio on Thursday. |