François Bayrou Stands Firm Amid Growing Controversy Over Abuse Allegations

PARIS — Under mounting scrutiny, French Prime Minister François Bayrou appeared before a parliamentary inquiry on Wednesday, insisting that he had never been made aware of incidents involving physical and sexual abuse at the Notre-Dame de Bétharram, a private Catholic school to which he has strong ties.In recent months, over 200 legal complaints have surfaced accusing priests and school staff of committing acts of abuse dating back to 1957, creating a growing scandal that has put pressure on Bayrou to step down from his post. While acknowledging an inspection he ordered in 1996 after a staff member was convicted of assault against a student, Bayrou maintained that his knowledge of the broader violence had only come to him through media reports.This position sharply contrasted with his earlier statements made to the National Assembly in February, when he emphatically claimed to have never received any information regarding violence, particularly sexual abuse, relating to the institution. Adding a personal dimension to the inquiry, Bayrou’s daughter, Hélène Perlant, revealed in a recent interview that she was a victim of abuse by a priest at the school during her teenage years, raising further questions about his claims.The parliamentary session saw heated exchanges as Bayrou responded to accusatory questions, at times appearing defensive and disoriented. He suggested that the allegations against him were politically motivated, aiming to undermine his reputation as both a leader and a local mayor of Pau, the town adjoining the school.As the inquiry continues, the pressure mounts on Prime Minister Bayrou, with public confidence in his leadership faltering amidst escalating revelations about systemic abuses within the institution connected to his past.