In brief
François Bayrou, under investigation for ties to alleged abuse at a Catholic school, claims he was unaware until recently, raising doubts over his credibility amidst calls for his resignation.
In a heated session on Wednesday, French Prime Minister François Bayrou was questioned in a parliamentary inquiry concerning accusations of sexual and physical violence at Notre-Dame de Bétharram, a private Catholic school. Facing scrutiny following 200 legal complaints against the school’s staff, Bayrou firmly stated he had not been informed of any incidents, despite his previous role as education minister and connections to the institution.Allegations reveal that priests and staff at the school were accused of various abuses spanning from 1957 to 2004, intensifying calls for Bayrou to resign. Interestingly, in 1996, he did initiate a school inspection after an assault incident, contradicting his claim of being unaware of such matters until media reports emerged. His statement during a recent National Assembly session also seems inconsistent, as he emphasized that he had never received information regarding any violence before.The hearing included dramatic exchanges and accusations among parliamentary members. Bayrou, who also serves as the mayor of Pau, seemed defensive and perplexed, suggesting that the scrutiny he faced was a politically motivated plot against him. Adding a personal layer, his daughter disclosed past abuse by a priest at the same school without informing her father at the time. The inquiry highlights the increasing accountability expected from public officials regarding historical abuse cases.
