Its presence embarrassed, it is an understatement to say it. Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, accused of rape by several women a few months ago, was invited this weekend to the 25th National Books and Wine Days in Saumur (Maine-et-Loire). The writer Thibault de Montaigu was to receive the Patrick Poivre d'Arvor prize, which recognizes the best writer-journalist of the year, for his book
La Grâce
. An award given by
"PPDA"
itself. The novelist preferred to cancel his visit, for moral questions.
"He did not want to receive this prize associated with the name of Mr. Poivre d'Arvor",
explains one at Plon, his publishing house.
As for the organization of the show, we claim to have taken note of the cancellation, without having been made aware of the motivations of Thibault de Montaigu.
“He simply declined the invitation without giving more details. Perhaps he had an impediment, a family reason. Thierry Frémaux was supposed to come but he was finally absent, and that didn't bother anyone, ”
defends Jean-Maurice Belayche, the organizer of this event which combines literature and tableware.
A version refuted by Plon, the writer's publishing house: “
They know very well why [
he did not come
].
There was a discussion, and Thibault de Montaigu never hid from the organizers that he did not want a prize in the name of Patrick Poivre d'Arvor ”.
"
We are not public prosecutors
"
The first accusations against Patrick Poivre d'Arvor date back to February. Journalist Florence Porcel claimed to have been raped by
"PPDA"
in 2009. In the following weeks, 23 women brought testimonies incriminating the ex-star of TF1 JT and his actions throughout his career. An investigation was opened in the wake. Among the women accusing him, eight decided to file a complaint against the 73-year-old journalist. At the end of June, the case was closed without follow-up, the prosecutor in charge of the case Catherine Denis arguing in a press release that the facts "
cannot characterize the crime of rape insofar as there is no evidence to confirm the words of one or the other concerning the existence of this scene
”.
A court decision on which the organization relies to justify the presence of the journalist, explaining to our colleagues from
L'Obs
that
"we would not invite someone who is at odds with moral rules fundamentals and justice.
We, as trade fair organizers, are not public prosecutors.
We respect the justice of our country at 200%
”.
The anger of the accusers
"Twenty-three women feel despised, me the first"
.
Journalist Hélène Devynck, who accuses Patrick Poivre d'Arvor of sexual harassment and rape dating back to 1993, expressed her anger this weekend when she learned of the presence of the former presenter of the TF1 JT, on her account Twitter.
Contacted by
L'Obs
, she specifies: “
PPDA makes signatures, goes to festivals, it is received everywhere, as if nothing had happened.
Each time, it's as if we don't exist.
It hurts us.
It's insulting
”.
Other accusers have also expressed their emotion, such as journalist Emmanuelle Dancourt:
Legal action against Patrick Poivre d'Arvor has for the moment been stopped, but new accusations or new elements could relaunch the investigation, except in the event of prescription of the alleged facts.
