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The former Italian secretary of state, Sandro Gozi, had become adviser to Édouard Philippe. Jacques Demarthon / AFP

Former Italian Secretary of State Edward Philippe's adviser, Sandro Gozi, announced his resignation on Wednesday (October 23rd). He was suspected of collaborating with the Maltese government while being at Matignon.

Denouncing " vile attacks ", the Italian decided to resign to "regain full freedom of speech" in order to defend himself and " avoid any political instrumentalization that could harm the head of the government " French, in a letter sent to the AFP, then on social networks.

Monday, Le Monde and the Maltese daily Times of Malta said Sandro Gozi was also working for Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat .

►Also read : France: an adviser to Édouard Philippe suspected of conflict of interest

" The Maltese contract mentioned in the press legally governs an advisory mission carried out as an external consultant to the Maltese authorities ," he defended in the letter. This collaboration " has stopped at (his) request after the result of the European elections in France ", he continues, assuring to have given evidence of his assertions.

"A declarative complement"

After being hired in the Prime Minister's Office on August 1, the Italian had fulfilled his " declaratory obligations as ministerial advisor to the High Authority for the Transparency of Public Life (HATVP)," he says in his statement. letter. He adds that he then carried out " a declaratory supplement after realizing that the French legislation required the declaration not only of public activities but also of private professional activities ".

Promising that "his professional activities have never been concealed", Sandro Gozi assures " that the HATVP has not yet reached a conclusive result of the examination of his statement ". On Tuesday, October 22, at the Government House of Commons sitting in the National Assembly, MP LR Pierre-Henri Dumont summoned the Prime Minister to answer this question: " For whom does your advisor really work? "

" Mr. Gozi was invited (Monday) by the director of the cabinet of the Prime Minister to produce explanations, " responded Édouard Philippe. Sandro Gozi had confirmed during his hiring " that his cabinet job in Matignon was exclusive of any other professional activity, let alone for another government ", assured Tuesday Matignon.

Italian is expected in the European Parliament after Brexit. He will join the Renaissance group Emmanuel Macron, already weakened by the failures of Nathalie Loiseau and Sylvie Goulard.

( With AFP )