Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday removed one of his staunchest allies from his conservative party's list for December regional elections, punishment for saying France was a "white race" country that must stay that way, reports Reuters.
After four days of silence over the latest outburst from outspoken lawmaker Nadine Morano, Sarkozy said her comments harmed The Republicans party's image and could not stay without consequences.
The case illustrates the challenge posed to Sarkozy in his bid to unite a divided party which is struggling in particular to decide its line on immigration under pressure from an increasingly popular far-right National Front.
Sarkozy himself has taken a tough line on immigration as he seeks to secure his party's ticket for the 2017 presidential elections, but he has stayed clear of such comments on race.
Morano told French TV on Saturday evening: "France is a Judeo-Christian country ... of white race, which is attracting foreigners. I want France to remain France. I don't want France to become Muslim."
The 51-year-old EU lawmaker from eastern France, one of Sarkozy's closest supporters for years and a former minister, insisted she had said nothing wrong.
Sarkozy aides said initially that he disagreed with her comments but did not plan any sanctions.