- Title: French government urges media not to become "judge" over under-fire ministers
- Date: 31st May 2017
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (MAY 31, 2017) (AGENCY POOL) (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN, CHRISTOPHE CASTANER, SAYING: "Evidently, it's never the idea to prevent or disturb such a process, whatever the matter. But that never, and once again I'm quoting our discussions, I'm quoting the President of the Republic, 'it's part of common sense, things are not always good when the press becomes the judge.'"
- Embargoed: 14th June 2017 13:35
- Keywords: French President Emmanuel Macron Richard Ferrand Marielle de Sarnez government France misconduct
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0046J662IV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The French government urged on Wednesday (May 31) the media not to become a "judge" after two of French President Emmanuel Macron's new ministers have come under scrutiny over ethical concerns.
Minister for Territorial Planning Richard Ferrand and Junior European Affairs Minister Marielle de Sarnez both deny any wrongdoing.
Ferrand, who headed the campaign that swept Macron to power in a vote last May 7, has been fighting for a week against charges of improper financial dealings six years ago when he managed a health insurance fund in the Brittany region.
De Sarnez issued a statement on Tuesday (May 30) saying she had done nothing wrong in hiring an assistant for her work as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
Macron, presiding over a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, came out in support of the ministers, calling on his colleagues to show solidarity, government spokesman Christophe Castaner told journalists. - Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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