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French court questions IMF chief Christine Lagarde French court questions IMF chief Christine Lagarde
(about 1 hour later)
IMF chief Christine Lagarde has arrived at a court in Paris for questioning over a payout to a controversial tycoon during her time as finance minister.IMF chief Christine Lagarde has arrived at a court in Paris for questioning over a payout to a controversial tycoon during her time as finance minister.
She is being asked to explain her handling of a row in 2007 which resulted in some 400m euros (£342m; $516m) being paid to Bernard Tapie.She is being asked to explain her handling of a row in 2007 which resulted in some 400m euros (£342m; $516m) being paid to Bernard Tapie.
She is appearing before the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR), which investigates ministerial misconduct.She is appearing before the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR), which investigates ministerial misconduct.
The IMF chief insists the award was the best solution at the time.The IMF chief insists the award was the best solution at the time.
"It's a pleasure to see you," a smiling Ms Lagarde told reporters upon arrival."It's a pleasure to see you," a smiling Ms Lagarde told reporters upon arrival.
Financial probity examined
She could be placed under formal investigation for the decision to use arbitration, against advice from senior advisers, to settle a long-running court battle between the state and Mr Tapie, a supporter of the then French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.She could be placed under formal investigation for the decision to use arbitration, against advice from senior advisers, to settle a long-running court battle between the state and Mr Tapie, a supporter of the then French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.
The case stretches back to 1993 when Mr Tapie, a colourful, controversial character in the French business world, sold his stake in sports company Adidas to Credit Lyonnais, the BBC's Christian Fraser reports from Paris.The case stretches back to 1993 when Mr Tapie, a colourful, controversial character in the French business world, sold his stake in sports company Adidas to Credit Lyonnais, the BBC's Christian Fraser reports from Paris.
Soon after the bank sold on that stake for a much bigger profit, Mr Tapie claimed they had defrauded him.Soon after the bank sold on that stake for a much bigger profit, Mr Tapie claimed they had defrauded him.
In 2007, President Sarkozy suggested the finance ministry - which had been overseeing the dispute and was led by Ms Lagarde - should move the case to arbitration.In 2007, President Sarkozy suggested the finance ministry - which had been overseeing the dispute and was led by Ms Lagarde - should move the case to arbitration.
Mr Tapie won a much bigger payout than he might have expected in court.Mr Tapie won a much bigger payout than he might have expected in court.
Ms Lagarde is not accused of profiting from the payout but she is being questioned over the misuse of public funds. Ms Lagarde is not accused of profiting from the payout, but she is being questioned over the misuse of public funds.
If she is placed under formal investigation it is of course embarrassing, our correspondent adds. It is a step closer to trial but it does not necessarily mean the case will end up in court, he says.If she is placed under formal investigation it is of course embarrassing, our correspondent adds. It is a step closer to trial but it does not necessarily mean the case will end up in court, he says.
She is still one of the most popular politicians on the right in France. And after the disgrace that was heaped on the last IMF chief, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, few in France want to see another prominent French politician embarrassed on the world stage, Christian Fraser says.
Some on the right wonder whether she could be a future candidate for first female French president, notably because she has stayed outside the conservative UMP party's vicious in-fighting.
Ms Lagarde, a perfect English speaker, has never expressed a desire to run for president. But her five-year term at the IMF is due to finish in 2016 - a year before the next presidential election. With her acumen she may be a dangerous opponent for President Francois Hollande.