French Prime Minister Defiant in School Sexual Violence Inquiry

As Prime Minister François Bayrou testifies under oath amid increasing legal complaints about alleged misconduct at his formerly-school-affiliated Catholic institution, he denies knowing of the abuse through any channels other than the press. Despite earlier claims of being oblivious to such matters since 1957, Bayrou now insists only news coverage informed him of the allegations, though he acknowledges an internal inspection in 1996 following a 1996 conviction for sexual assault. The growing pressure on him could signal broader public outcry or political upheaval as the case intensifies.