Mayor sues over Chirac food bill

Paris city officials have filed a civil complaint about millions of euros allegedly spent on lavish dining by President Jacques Chirac when he was mayor of Paris.

M. Chirac has been dogged by allegations of corruption during his time as mayor from 1977 to 1995. He has avoided prosecution or questioning by claiming presidential immunity and the office of the Mayor, Bertrand Delanoe, a Socialist, admits it may have difficulty in pursuing the case.

An audit submitted to prosecutors in March claimed that M. Chirac, a conservative, spent €1.5m (£900,000) on private receptions. A public prosecutor declined to follow up the allegations.