In brief
During a parliamentary inquiry, Prime Minister François Bayrou faced mounting scrutiny over his alleged connections to ongoing abuse scandals at a Catholic school, with accusations of physical and sexual violence resurfacing.
In a dramatic parliamentary inquiry on Wednesday, French Prime Minister François Bayrou faced intense questioning concerning allegations of sexual and physical violence linked to the Notre-Dame de Bétharram school, a private Catholic institution where he has well-documented ties. Over 200 legal complaints have surfaced, alleging that priests and staff members abused students over several decades, raising significant concerns about the accountability of those in authority.Bayrou, who served as Minister of Education from 1993 to 1997, claimed he was uninformed of the violence until it was reported by the media. This statement notably contradicted his earlier claims made during a National Assembly address in February, where he asserted he had "never, never ever, been informed of anything" concerning such violence. His previous actions included ordering an inspection of the school back in 1996, following the conviction of a supervisor for assaulting a minor.This inquiry has put significant pressure on Bayrou, especially in light of recently resurfaced testimonies from his own family. His daughter, Hélène Perlant, revealed to a magazine that she was a victim of abuse by a priest affiliated with the same school, which further complicates his claims of ignorance.The hearing was marked by chaos as interruptions, accusations, and heated exchanges filled the room, with Bayrou at times displaying confusion. He suggested that the growing scandal might be an orchestrated attack by political adversaries seeking to undermine his position. Facing a mounting crisis, the political future of François Bayrou hangs in the balance as public outcry intensifies around the years of unreported violence in the educational sector.
