French Prime Minister Denies Prior Knowledge of Widespread Abuse at School

france - François Bayrou denies awareness of extensive abuse at a Catholic school in the 1990s amid opposition claims of prior knowledge of physical and sexual misconduct.

French Premier François Bayrou Denies Prior Knowledge of School Abuse

François Bayrou, the French Prime Minister, refutes allegations of being informed about widespread abuse at a Catholic school in the 1990s. The opposition suggests that Bayrou was aware of misconduct at the Bétharram school, where children endured physical and sexual abuse for decades.

Allegations and Response

Reports of abuse at the school emerged around thirty years ago, with a recent surge in legal complaints. Bayrou claims to have no more knowledge than the general public in France and asserts that any information he possessed would have been public knowledge. The 73-year-old premier attributes the accusations to a political campaign against him and seeks to demonstrate his innocence before the committee.