Darmanin: rape complaint "not an obstacle" according to the president's entourage - France 24

Paris (AFP)

The rape complaint against the new Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin seems to be evolving "in the right direction" and this complaint "did not obstruct" the promotion of a minister who "aspired to more", said Monday the entourage of the president.

"It seems that things are going in the right direction," said the source, without giving further details. The Elysee Palace "never comments on current cases," added this source, however.

So far Minister of Action and Public Accounts, Gérald Darmanin "aspired to more" and "he embodies the republican order, a priority of the government", explains the entourage of the president.

Gérald Darmanin, a friend of Nicolas Sarkozy, replaces the former socialist Christophe Castaner, close to Emmanuel Macron, in Beauvau.

Jean-Michel Blanquer had been "evoked" for this post, confirmed the same source, but the decision to choose Gérald Darmanin "was taken early in the day on Monday", adds the entourage of Emmanuel Macron.

"It is a great honor, for the grandson of an immigrant that I am, to be appointed Minister of the Interior of our beautiful country" tweeted this grandson of an Algerian and resistant tirailleur, born of a father who held a bar and a mother cleaning lady.

Asked about the departure of Christophe Castaner, "no one has deserved but choices have to be made," replied the entourage of the president. On the other hand, "it would be in the order of things that Laurent Nunez be maintained" like his secretary of state, added this source.

Gérald Darmanin's ministry is also expanding to Citizenship, a new portfolio entrusted to Marlene Schiappa.

Asked about the possibility for Gérald Darmanin to combine with the town hall of Tourcoing, the entourage of the Head of State was content to answer that the new minister had resigned on Monday from the Hauts-de-France regional council, pending that his situation on the town hall of Tourcoing be "clarified".

In mid-June, lawyers for the woman who accuses Gérald Darmanin of raping her in 2009 denounced the government's support for the minister.

After two years of procedural battle, the Paris Court of Appeal had ordered in early June the resumption of investigations into the accusations of rape, sexual harassment and breach of trust brought against the minister by Sophie Patterson-Spatz.

Heard in free hearing on February 12, 2018, Mr. Darmanin confirmed that he had had sexual intercourse with Ms. Patterson-Spatz, but according to him freely consented and on the initiative of the complainant.

© 2020 AFP