The new government spokesman, Gabriel Attal, considered Tuesday that Gérald Darmanin, appointed Monday Interior Minister and targeted by an investigation for rape, should be able to " benefit from the presumption of innocence ".
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" We cannot on the one hand sacred the presumption of innocence in all circumstances and consider that it is an essential foundation of our country (...), and consider that there would be people who, by the function that they occupy, could not benefit from this presumption of innocence ”, argued the spokesperson after the first Council of Ministers of the Castex government.
" There are investigations, they are held and it is normal - we are in the rule of law - but we cannot go further than that by considering that, ultimately, because there are investigations, there would have crimes, an inability to exercise in a government, "said Gabriel Attal.
A complaint that does not “stand in the way”
The day before the entourage of the president had affirmed that, concerning the complaint of rape targeting the minister, " things seem (ai) ent to evolve in the good direction " and that it had " not obstructed " the promotion of 'a minister who' longed for more '. Feminist activists on Tuesday denounced a “ shame reshuffle ” after the appointment of Gérald Darmanin to the Ministry of the Interior and Éric Dupond-Moretti to Justice during punching actions against sexual violence.
The lawyers for the woman who accuses Gérald Darmanin of " rape " since 2017 said on Tuesday " dismayed " by his appointment to the Ministry of the Interior, a " political gesture " which " poses a problem with regard to equality of arms and words ”in the judicial inquiry.
After two years of procedural battle, the Paris Court of Appeal had ordered in early June the resumption of investigations into the accusations of rape, sexual harassment and breach of trust brought against the minister. Heard in free hearing on February 12, 2018, Gérald Darmanin confirmed that he had had sexual intercourse with the complainant but, according to him, freely consented.