Macron ally and centrist leader under investigation in funding probe
François Bayrou, 68, the leader of France's centre-right MoDem party and a key political ally of President Emmanuel Macron, who he helped to be elected, has been placed under investigation for suspected involvement in the misuse of European Parliament funds to pay for party workers.
AA French investigative judge on Friday placed François Bayrou, a political ally of President Emmanuel Macron, under formal investigation for suspected complicity in the misuse of European Parliament funds, a judicial source said, reports Reuters.
Bayrou, the leader of France’s centrist MoDem party, resigned as Macron’s justice minister in June 2017, following a preliminary investigation into his party’s finances.
Under French law, the placing of suspects under formal investigation means prosecutors believe they have “serious or consistent evidence” that could result in prosecution. Friday’s decision puts Bayrou one step closer to trial, though the investigation can still be dropped.
