Accused of rape by two women, Minister Damien Abad held a press conference on Monday. The former president of the LR group in the National Assembly, just appointed head of the Ministry of Solidarity, Autonomy and People with Disabilities, proclaims his innocence and does not plan to resign.
Damien Abad remains in government, at least for now. This Monday, the new Minister of Solidarity, Autonomy and Disabled People spoke at an exceptional press conference in the department of Ain. The former Les Républicains deputy is the subject of two charges of rape by two women for acts which allegedly took place in 2010 and 2011.
Allegations that the main interested party denies as a whole, who says he is “innocent”. “I have never raped a single woman in my life,” he says. “Should an innocent minister resign? I don’t believe so,” he told the press.
“From now on, I devote myself to my mission as minister”
“All the sexual relations I have had in my life have always been mutually consented”, first indicated the minister before speaking of “deep wounds” inflicted by these accusations. “I have always avoided highlighting disability. I was forced to do so today and even to reveal my privacy in detail by explaining that the facts with which I am accused were materially impossible”, he said. for follow-up. The former MP has arthrogryposis, a rare disease that hampers his joints and reduces his mobility.
“From now on, I devote myself to my mission as a minister. A minister who wishes to be on the ground as close as possible to the daily life of the French people. And I am fully committed to my legislative campaign as a candidate in the 5th constituency of Ain” , he said in conclusion.