Sarkozy defends scandal-plagued minister, himself | Philippine Times

Sarkozy defends scandal-plagued minister, himself

Philippine Times (IANS) Monday 12th July, 2010

French President Nicolas Sarkozy tried to put out a damaging political firestorm by defending late Monday his beleaguered minister for labour and social affairs, Eric Woerth.

Responding during an hour-long interview on France 2 television to weeks of allegations that have severely damaged his standing with the French people, Sarkozy said, 'Eric Woerth is an honest man, he is a competent man, he is a man who has my complete trust'.

Woerth has been accused by a former accountant of L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt of accepting an illegal contribution from Bettencourt of 150,000 euros ($189,000) for Sarkozy's 2007 election campaign.

Woerth is the treasurer of Sarkozy's UMP party. He has repeatedly denied the charge.

Questioned about that accusation, Sarkozy avoided a direct answer, saying instead that the allegations were part of a long-term campaign by his political opponents to derail his attempts to reform the country.

Woerth is also accused of conflict of interest because his wife, Florence, worked until recently for a company that managed Bettencourt's wealth.

Sarkozy cited a report by a finance ministry investigating body, the IGF, made public Sunday, that cleared Woerth of having intervened in the tax affairs of Europe's richest woman.

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