PARIS, November 6 (Reuters) – Minister of Justice Eric Dupond-Moretti, who appears from this Monday before the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR), has “all my confidence”, assured Prime Minister Elisabeth Thick headed.
“As Keeper of the Seals, Eric Dupond-Moretti has my full confidence. He does an excellent job,” declared the head of the executive on Monday on France Inter.
Eric Dupond-Moretti is on trial for “illegal taking of interest” after being indicted last year for having ordered, shortly after being appointed Minister of Justice, the opening of administrative investigations against magistrates with whom he had had trouble when he was a lawyer.
This is the first time that a French minister in office has been referred to the CJR, a court specially responsible for judging ministers or ex-ministers for crimes or offenses committed in the exercise of their functions.
Eric Dupond-Moretti, who denies having initiated these investigations which could lead to disciplinary proceedings against the magistrates concerned, has always ruled out resigning.
Recognizing an “unusual situation” with a minister before the courts and still in office, Elisabeth Borne recalled that “the Keeper of the Seals has the right, like everyone else, to the presumption of innocence”.
“We have organized ourselves so that he can both ensure his defense and at the same time that the ministry continues to function,” declared the Prime Minister.
(Written by Blandine Hénault, edited by Kate Entringer)
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