"Yes, we did what we had to do," commented to AFP the MEP on the sidelines of a trip to Colombes (Hauts-de-Seine), west of Paris, confirming information revealed by L'Obs.
"We didn't want to brag about it saying: look how virtuous I am," added the candidate's entourage to justify the lack of initial communication on the reason for this cancellation.
It was finally the industrialist Michel-Edouard Leclerc who was questioned Friday morning by the journalist under investigation following a complaint for sexual assault by a former journalist from BFMTV and RMC.
On Tuesday, candidate LR Valérie Pécresse had participated in another program by Jean-Jacques Bourdin, in the evening from Corrèze.
But she wanted to say an "introductory remark" on violence against women, assuring the journalist that "the law of silence is over".
Jean-Jacques Bourdin on June 17, 2021 at the premises of BFM in Paris JOEL SAGET AFP / Archives
Visibly moved, Jean-Jacques Bourdin replied that he had decided "not to (s) 'express on this subject".
"But I dispute the facts reported by the press and I let justice do its job," he added.
After the revelation in Le Parisien last Saturday of a complaint for sexual assault for facts dating from 2013, the management of Altice Media, owner of the channel, had supported the 72-year-old host while saying he was ready to take "all the measures that may be necessary" depending on the "evolution" of this case.
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