Minister questioned in L'Oréal inquiry

Friday 30 July 2010

Print
A A A
Latest in Europe
Clashes as Greeks protest at cuts
Briton to be compensated for G8 beating
After months of talks, Greeks told their cuts still don't go far enough
Frozen Danube river is costing shippers millions
Scent king in court for throwaway TV lines that caused a stink across France
Spain's leading human rights judge convicted of wiretapping
Putin has exhausted his potential, says Gorbachev
Greek leaders agree new cuts deal
The Netherlands: Freeze offers skaters rare chance of marathon race
Honecker's widow longs for homeland
News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

Tyrannosaur and Drive: The difference between loneliness and being alone

The prospect of loneliness is probably one of the biggest fears that humans have to contend with. Mo...

The Woman in Black: From page, to stage, to film

Director James Watkins and screenwriter Jane Goldman discuss how they kept up the constant high leve...

The future of academic publishing

These are the most uncertain times in living memory for academic publishing. After decades of bumpin...

Books with soundtracks: no, really, this one works…

Books with soundtracks. The idea is so glaringly obvious, and so obviously feeble, that I hesitate t...

Suggested Topics

Police questioned the French Labour Minister yesterday about his relationship with the billionaire L'Oréal cosmetics heiress in an investigation into a scandal that has reached the highest levels of President Nicolas Sarkozy's government.

Opponents are demanding that Eric Woerth resign from the government. They accuse him of tax evasion and accepting illegal cash donations for Mr Sarkozy's UMP party during the election campaign in 2007. They also accuse him of a conflict of interest because his wife worked as an investment adviser to the heiress, Liliane Bettencourt, the wealthiest woman in Europe.

The minister and Mr Sarkozy have previously denied the claims. Secret tapes recorded by Bettencourt's ex-butler and made public in leaks to the media suggested that she hid millions of euros in Swiss bank accounts to avoid paying taxes.

Comments

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
SPONSORED FEATURES

Free trial of new Independent iPad app

Get your daily dose of the best of British journalism, sponsored by American Airlines

Atlantic Canada Posh Nosh Prizes & offers
Business videos

Win a three-week coastal jaunt

Spend three weeks exploring every nook and cranny of gorgeous Atlantic Canada.

iPad app Posh Nosh Prizes & offers
Business videos

Amazing restaurant offers

Three glasses of free champagne and a special menu at 46 top London restaurants.

iPad app Atlantic Canada Prizes & offers
Business videos

Latest Independent competitions

Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.

iPad app Atlantic Canada Posh Nosh
Business videos

Commercial thought leaders

Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.

iPad app Atlantic Canada Posh Nosh
Prizes & offers

Day In a Page

Samuel Aranda wins World Press Photo

World Press Photo

The winners in pictures
Picture preview: Cotton Global Threads

Cotton Global Threads

Picture preview
Eat it don't tweet it: Do table manners still matter?

Eat it don't tweet it: Do table manners still matter?

In the technological age, modern dining etiquette is about so much more than just keeping your elbows off the table.
The 10 best knife sets

The 10 best knife sets

From blades inspired by Japanese master sword craftsmen to ceramic blades that feel as light as a feather
Once a Redgrave: Joely Richardson on playing the role made famous by her mother and sister

Once a Redgrave: Joely Richardson

The actress discusses playing a role made famous by her mother and sister
The growth industry: Veg boxes have gone from a niche product for worthies to a foodies' essential

The growth industry: Veg boxes

Vegetable boxes have gone from a niche product for worthies to a foodies' essential
RIBA's latest exhibition charts the changing face of the British home

Changing face of the British home

Oliver Bennett explores the Royal Institute of British Architects’ latest exhibition
First Night: In the Land of Blood and Honey, Berlin Film Festival

First Night: In the Land of Blood and Honey

Courage under fire! Jolie's debut is not for faint-hearted
The XX files: The hunt for victims of Guatemala's 36-year war

The XX files

The hunt for victims of Guatemala's 36-year war
Rein man: did Dustin Hoffman harm horses in his new drama?

Did Dustin Hoffman harm horses in his new drama?

Big-budget HBO series targeted by campaigners after two star performers had to be put down
How the FA can win with Harry's game

How the FA can win with Harry's game

Even an initial part-time role up to Euro 2012 would work, while England could be set free by Redknapp
James Lawton: Blame for this awful mess lies squarely with Capello

James Lawton

Blame for this awful mess lies squarely with Capello
Chris Ashton: Not so flash but still keen to make a splash in Rome

Chris Ashton interview

Not so flash but still keen to make a splash in Rome
London Eye: She's buddies with Bolt but this golden girl revels in anonymity

Simon Turnbull's London Eye

Jamaica's Trecia Smith is buddies with Bolt but this golden girl revels in anonymity
The data goldmine: Why forgetting to log out can cost you dearly

Data goldmine: Have you forgotten to log out?

David Crookes finds out how much stolen Twitter accounts, hacked eBay pages and more are really worth.