Overview

• François Bayrou publicly denied accusations of intervening in 1998 judicial proceedings involving abuse allegations at Notre-Dame de Bétharram.
• Bayrou emphasized his commitment to proving his innocence during his upcoming testimony before the parliamentary inquiry commission on May 14.
• Testimonies from a former gendarme and judge conflict over whether Bayrou influenced a delay in presenting a suspect during the 1998 investigation.
• Bayrou dismissed the allegations, questioning the reliability of judicial authorities and asserting that errors in recollection may explain the claims.
• The controversy is part of a broader investigation into systemic abuse in French Catholic institutions, with over 200 former students alleging misconduct.