French PM’s Daughter Reveals Abuse at Catholic School, Igniting Political Backlash
Bayrou faces criticism over inaction during his education ministry as more victims come forward from elite boarding school.
Watan-The eldest daughter of French Prime Minister François Bayrou has revealed that she was among the victims of abuse at a prestigious Catholic boarding school in France.
In an interview with Paris Match magazine, published online on Tuesday evening, she disclosed that she suffered severe physical abuse nearly 40 years ago while attending the school near the city of Lourdes.
She recounted that a clergyman dragged her by the hair across the floor and repeatedly beat and kicked her, especially in the stomach area. She never told her parents about the incident.
Her revelations have caused a significant stir in France, as Bayrou faces criticism for allegedly failing to respond to signs of misconduct at the school—located in his electoral district—during his tenure as Minister of Education between 1993 and 1997.
His wife also worked at the school, and some of his children attended it. Bayrou has stated that he was unaware of any inappropriate behavior at the time.
Meanwhile, around 200 former students from Notre-Dame de Betharram School have filed complaints alleging physical and sexual abuse during their time there.
