The presenter of BFMTV and RMC is the subject of a complaint for a sexual assault which dates back to 2013. The Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation and political guests began to cancel their participation in his morning interview.
For “not to harm the daily operation of BFMTV and RMC”, Jean-Jacques Bourdin, targeted by an investigation for sexual assault, is removed from the antenna “temporarily” after the complaint filed by a former journalist and collaborator of the star presenter. “This temporary withdrawal from the antenna will make it possible to avoid the political and media manipulations of this affair”, can we read in a press release from the Altice Media group, owner of the two channels.
Television and radio host Jean-Jacques Bourdin regretted this “unilateral decision of the BFMTV and RMC group”. In a press release sent to AFP by his lawyer, he deplores “that the principle of the presumption of innocence be ignored”.
“I regret the unilateral decision of the BFMTV Group and RMC to withdraw me from the antennas to prevent the risks of instrumentalization of the complaint of which I am the subject”, wrote the journalist in a press release sent to AFP by his lawyer, deploring “that the principle of the presumption of innocence is ignored”.
On several occasions since the revelation of this complaint by the Parisian last Saturday, the 72-year-old host, headliner of the group for more than twenty years, disputed the facts. Especially on Tuesday evening, at the start France in the eyes when Valérie Pécresse had made an update on sexual violence in the preamble to this program which was dedicated to her. And Friday, the Obs revealed that Yannick Jadot had canceled his participation in the morning interview led by Bourdin due to the opening of the investigation.
In its press release, the Altice group specifies that the political interview at 8:30 a.m. will be provided during this withdrawal. “temporary” the duration of which is not specified by Apolline de Malherbe from Monday. The flagship program of the presidential campaign La France dans Les Yeux will be hosted by Bruce Toussaint.
Altice Media had launched an internal investigation into the alleged facts the day after the complaint. “We are following any developments in this case with the greatest attention and we will take all the measures that may be necessary depending on its evolution”, could we read in a press release.
The facts date back to 2013. They would have taken place in a five-star hotel in Calvi, Corsica. While stationed at BFMTV, the young journalist was invited to the Open de Calvi, a petanque competition, by Alain Weill, the boss of the channel. The young woman worked “for several years” with Bourdin on RMC and had a conflicting professional relationship. She claims that this “grabbed her by the neck and tried to kiss her several times” in the hotel swimming pool, according to the account of the Parisian, confirmed by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Me Laure Heinich.
Update at 3:30 p.m. with statements by Jean-Jacques Bourdin.