Paris: French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen yesterday refused to attend questioning by investigating magistrates over claims she broke rules on use of European Parliament funds.
Le Pen, who is one of the frontrunners in the race, told reporters she refused to be questioned by anti-corruption investigators during the presidential campaign.
“I will not respond (to the summons) during the election campaign,” she said.
“During this period, there cannot be neutrality or calm necessary for the justice system to function properly.”
The candidate’s lawyer Rodolphe Bosselut said he was surprised by the “sudden rush” in the investigation.
Le Pen’s personal assistant Catherine Griset was charged on Wednesday with breach of trust in the probe into allegations that her National Front (FN) party defrauded the European Parliament of about €340,000 ($360,000).
Le Pen, who sits in the European Parliament, has furiously denied accusations she broke the rules by using parliamentary funds to pay Griset as well as bodyguard Thierry Legier for jobs in France rather than at the European Parliament.
Le Pen, who has vowed to call a referendum on France's membership of the European Union if elected, has described the investigation as a vendetta.
