French Prime Minister François Bayrou Announces Lawsuit Against Mediapart Over Abuse Case Allegations
Bayrou's legal action follows claims of his prior knowledge regarding abuse allegations linked to a Catholic school attended by his children.
PARIS — French Prime Minister François Bayrou has declared his intention to sue the investigative media outlet Mediapart in response to allegations that he misled the public about his awareness of accusations against a priest at a Catholic school attended by his children.
Mediapart reported last week that Bayrou 'lied' in his defense of the Notre-Dame de Bétharram school, which is embroiled in a scandal involving a priest accused of raping a student in the late 1990s.
The investigative report included witness statements and documents indicating that Bayrou 'could not have been unaware of the accusations' related to the school.
During a session in the National Assembly, where the claims were raised, Bayrou firmly maintained, 'I assure you that I have never been informed of any incidents of violence, let alone sexual violence.' He subsequently confirmed plans to file a libel suit against Mediapart.
Bayrou, who previously held the position of France's education minister, indicated in 2024 that he had only encountered 'rumors' concerning instances of physical discipline, which he described as 'slaps', and denied any knowledge of sexual abuse at the institution, as reported by French daily Le Parisien.
The school's former director, who was also a priest, was formally investigated for alleged rape in 1998, and a second complaint subsequently emerged.
Mediapart cited statements from the lawyer representing the first plaintiff and a journalist involved in the case, both asserting that Bayrou was aware of the allegations against the priest.
Additionally, the report referenced previous coverage from established media outlets, including Le Monde and the local newspaper La République des Pyrénées, which reported that Christian Mirande, the investigative judge overseeing the case, had a meeting with Bayrou during the initial phases of the inquiry.
In recent years, numerous former students from the Notre-Dame de Bétharram school have come forth with allegations of sexual assault.
Furthermore, it was noted that Bayrou's wife attended the funeral of the accused priest, who reportedly died by suicide shortly after the onset of the investigation.
As developments continue, Mediapart has expressed its commitment to defend its reporting in court and intends to publish additional documents supporting its claims against Bayrou.
Mediapart reported last week that Bayrou 'lied' in his defense of the Notre-Dame de Bétharram school, which is embroiled in a scandal involving a priest accused of raping a student in the late 1990s.
The investigative report included witness statements and documents indicating that Bayrou 'could not have been unaware of the accusations' related to the school.
During a session in the National Assembly, where the claims were raised, Bayrou firmly maintained, 'I assure you that I have never been informed of any incidents of violence, let alone sexual violence.' He subsequently confirmed plans to file a libel suit against Mediapart.
Bayrou, who previously held the position of France's education minister, indicated in 2024 that he had only encountered 'rumors' concerning instances of physical discipline, which he described as 'slaps', and denied any knowledge of sexual abuse at the institution, as reported by French daily Le Parisien.
The school's former director, who was also a priest, was formally investigated for alleged rape in 1998, and a second complaint subsequently emerged.
Mediapart cited statements from the lawyer representing the first plaintiff and a journalist involved in the case, both asserting that Bayrou was aware of the allegations against the priest.
Additionally, the report referenced previous coverage from established media outlets, including Le Monde and the local newspaper La République des Pyrénées, which reported that Christian Mirande, the investigative judge overseeing the case, had a meeting with Bayrou during the initial phases of the inquiry.
In recent years, numerous former students from the Notre-Dame de Bétharram school have come forth with allegations of sexual assault.
Furthermore, it was noted that Bayrou's wife attended the funeral of the accused priest, who reportedly died by suicide shortly after the onset of the investigation.
As developments continue, Mediapart has expressed its commitment to defend its reporting in court and intends to publish additional documents supporting its claims against Bayrou.
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