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4d ago

François Bayrou Confronts Daughter’s Testimony in Bétharram Abuse Scandal

Hélène Perlant's account of violence at a church camp adds pressure on the Prime Minister ahead of his May 14 parliamentary hearing.

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Le premier ministre François Bayrou nie avoir eu connaissance, dans le passé, des agressions physiques et sexuelles dénoncées aujourd’hui par 200 anciens élèves de l’établissement Notre-Dame de Bétharram.
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Overview

  • Hélène Perlant, François Bayrou's daughter, revealed she was physically assaulted at age 14 during a church-run summer camp linked to Notre-Dame de Bétharram.
  • Her testimony, detailed in the book 'Le Silence de Bétharram,' describes being beaten and dragged by a priest, Abbé Lartiguet, who targeted her as 'the daughter of Bayrou.'
  • Bayrou denies prior knowledge of the abuse allegations, which now include over 200 complaints from former students of the institution.
  • The Prime Minister expressed being 'deeply shaken' by his daughter's revelations but emphasized his focus on the broader victim community.
  • The Pau prosecutor's office continues to investigate the extensive complaints, as Bayrou prepares for his May 14 testimony before a parliamentary inquiry.