François Bayrou unmasked at the airport: he explains himself in the controversial photo: Femme Actuelle Le MAG

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Internet users have given themselves a mission: to track down violations of health regulations on social networks. And even more so when it comes to celebrities or politicians. Thus, Brigitte Macron had been accused of not respecting the wearing of a mask after a photo that caused controversy. The same goes for her husband President, who has often been criticized for not applying distancing or wearing a mask. On the star side, the former Miss Iris Mittenaere, the clerk of All in the kitchen Jérôme Anthony, or the actor of More beautiful life Laurent Kérusoré, have all been accused of not respecting confinement or barrier gestures in recent months. While he had already been pinned for this reason in September 2020, during a press conference with Jean Castex, François Bayrou again sparked controversy on Twitter by appearing unmasked.

I forgot to put my mask back on "

On Wednesday, January 20, 2021, François Bayrou was photographed – without his knowledge – in the grounds of Orly airport. The High Commissioner for Planning, also mayor of the city of Pau, appears on a bench, among the passengers, with his face uncovered. An image that quickly aroused the indignation of Internet users, forcing the main concerned to react in the press the next day. Contacted by phone by our colleagues from The Republic of the Pyrenees, Thursday January 21, François Bayrou made his mea culpa: “It is an oversight", he admitted. “I had a coffee. And I forgot to put my mask back on for a few minutes until I realized it. And I was several meters from the other passengers ", however specifies the politician, recalling that he could not in any case "enter or exit this boarding area without the mask ".

The author of the cliché also appeared in the columns of the local newspaper. The latter asserts that François Bayrou remained like this for “about ten minutes ”. “He didn't have the mask in his hands anyway. We have been reminded several times to put the mask on properly. Him, no agent came to see him, she finally declares. Words that may not play much in favor of political figures, already often accused of benefiting from privileges concerning health restrictions.

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