accused of harassment and sexual violence, he files a complaint for defamation

According to information from magazine Further investigation, the former TF1 JT presenter has decided to go on the offensive. France 2 will broadcast on Thursday April 28 an issue devoted to the case of sexual violence in which Patrick Poivre d’Arvor is involved. He has indeed announced that he is filing a complaint for “slanderous denunciation“against 16 women. The complaint filed by PPDA lawyer Philippe Naepels was registered on Tuesday, April 26 with the dean of the examining magistrates of the Nanterre court. Philippe Naepels explained to France Info that it was about do justice to Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, who has always maintained his innocence. “For many months, many unfounded accusations have been brought against Patrick Poivre d’Arvor. It is time for these charges to be tried. One cannot accuse falsely and with impunity.”

The complaint filed by Patrick Poivre d’Arvor is 43 pages long. She highlights the “drifts” of the #MeToo movement which has initiated a broad liberation of the word of women and victims of sexual violence in general. But the text also highlights a supposed “return of puritanism and censorship, cleverly adorned with the supposed protection of women”.

PPDA accusers presented as “bitter”

Of the 22 women who testified against PPDA of sexual violence or harassment, 16 are directly targeted by the complaint. The document attempts to present them as women frustrated at not having received attention from Patrick Poivre d’Arvor that they would have liked to receive.

“The slightest credit cannot be given to these sixteen women, journalists or writers in search of fame and/or feminists of the last hour… To regret not having benefited from more consideration, even from a simple glance, from the part of a man they once admired today makes those dismissed or ignored very bitter, a bitterness that leads them to commit, out of belated revenge, the offense of slanderous denunciation” can we read in the complaint.

The prescription of the charges against PPDA lifted

This complaint for “slanderous denunciation“has a direct consequence: it comes lift the statute of limitations on some of the charges against PPDA. The plaintiffs who had testified against him to the Brigade for the repression of delinquency against the person (BRDP), are defended by lawyer Laure Heinich. They would look forward to being able to defend themselves and “confront the judges”.

As a reminder, PPDA was accused of rape for the first time by journalist Florence Porcel in February 2021. Following this case, an investigation was opened. 8 women testified in turn in court and openly in Liberation. Two new complaints were filed in December 2021. Still according to information from Further investigation, Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, is the subject of 15 complaints, including 6 for rape.