François Bayrou’s Involvement in Bétharram Scandal Remains Under Scrutiny
François Bayrou, France’s former Prime Minister and current Minister of Justice, continues to face questions regarding his knowledge and involvement in the sexual abuse scandal at Notre-Dame-de-Bétharram, a boarding school near Pau.
During questioning in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Bayrou reiterated his claim that he had not been informed of the allegations of assault and rape against members of the school’s staff. However, he admitted that he had ordered an inspection in 1996 after learning of a complaint filed by a student who had been violently slapped by the headmaster.
Bayrou has denied allegations that he intervened with the judiciary on behalf of Father Carricart, the former director of the school who was accused of rape in 1998. He has also criticized the Jospin government, which was in power during the late 1990s, for failing to take action.
Bayrou’s Counter-Attack: Accusations Against Former Government Officials
Bayrou accused Elisabeth Guigou, who served as Minister of Justice in the Jospin government, of failing to act on information she received about the allegations against Father Carricart. He claimed that the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Pau had informed the Chancellery about the case on multiple occasions in 1998, but that no action was taken.
Bayrou further alleged that Claude Allègre, the Minister of Education at the time, as well as Ségolène Royal, the Minister Delegate for School Education, should have been aware of the allegations and failed to act.
Despite Bayrou’s counter-attack, Paul Vannier, a lawmaker who authored a report on private schools under contract, accused Bayrou of lying and called for his resignation. Vannier criticized Bayrou for providing contradictory statements on his knowledge of the scandal, saying that each new declaration exposed the falsehood of previous ones.
Investigation and Controversy
The investigation into the Bétharram scandal continues, and the revelations have raised questions about the response of authorities to allegations of sexual abuse in educational institutions. The school has since been closed, and multiple priests have been charged in connection with the allegations.
The scandal has also revived the debate about the role of the Catholic Church in France and its handling of sexual abuse cases. The Church has come under fire for its perceived attempts to cover up such allegations and protect its members.
Bayrou’s Reputation and Political Future
The allegations against Bayrou have damaged his reputation and cast a shadow over his political future. Bayrou, who is known for his integrity and commitment to justice, is now facing calls to step down as Minister of Justice.
The scandal has also raised concerns about the influence of the Catholic Church on French politics, with some accusing the Church of protecting its interests and shielding its members from prosecution.
The outcome of the investigation and the public’s reaction to it will likely determine Bayrou’s political fate. If he is found to have lied or misled authorities, his career could be irreparably damaged.
