Who was present at the clandestine dinners supposedly organized by the collector Pierre-Jean Chalençon in Paris?

Questioned at the microphone of Europe 1, Tuesday April 6, Gerald Darmanin assured "that to his knowledge", "no minister" was among the guests. 

If one of the members of the government finally turned out to have been present, "I would personally consider that he is not up to his position," said the Minister of the Interior. 

Gérald Darmanin on the presence of ministers in #RestaurantsClandestins: "To my knowledge, there are no ministers" present at these meals # Europe1 pic.twitter.com/CV900LfDet

- Europe 1 🎧🌍📻 (@ Europe1) April 6, 2021

Friday, April 2, a report broadcast on M6 featuring luxurious clandestine dinners organized in Paris caused a wave of indignation on social networks.

For good reason, the alleged organizer, Pierre-Jean Chalençon claims to have met several ministers there.

Since then, the latter has completely changed his version of the facts.

Invited on the set of BFMTV on Tuesday April 6, he thus affirmed that the remarks made in this report are "a huge April fools".

"I do not organize dinners or parties. I do not organize anything at all at the Palais Vivienne or elsewhere," he said. 

"Harsh rumor for our democracy"

An investigation has been opened, recalled Gérald Darmanin.

Jean-Pierre Chalençon "was made a false publicity, which I believe, can cost him dearly", he added. 

"I would like to say (...) how harsh rumor is for our democracy. (..) and I think we should really think about this idea that it is the suspicion that allows people to be condemned and not not the truth, "he lamented, referring to social networks which" continued "to" panic "even though the organizer said he had" lied "when speaking of ministers.

"There are not two rules, the same rule for everyone exists in France. There are as many restaurants which are controlled in all the districts of Paris, in all the cities of France. There is no on one side the bourgeois who would be allowed to feast and on the other the people who would come to control, "he insisted.

With AFP

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