France's Macron orders shake-up of presidency after bodyguard scandal - source

[webfact]

France's Macron orders shake-up of presidency after bodyguard scandal - source

By Sophie Louet and Matthias Blamont

 

FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron walks ahead of his aide Alexandre Benalla at the end of the Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France, July 14, 2018. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

 

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron ordered a shake-up of his office after acknowledging failings in the way the presidency handled a scandal over his top bodyguard who was filmed beating a protester on May Day, a source close to the Elysee said.

 

The bodyguard, Alexandre Benalla, was placed under investigation on Sunday in a case that has sparked a political storm and brought the sharpest criticism Macron has faced since taking power 14 months ago.

 

Le Monde newspaper released a video last week showing Benalla at the May 1 protests in Paris wearing a riot helmet and police tags while off duty.

 

In the footage, he can be seen dragging a woman away from a protest and later beating a male demonstrator. On Friday, French media released a second video which showed Benalla also manhandling the woman.

 

Macron fired Benalla, the head of his personal security detail, on Friday but faced criticism for failing to act sooner. Benalla had initially been suspended for 15 days before being allowed to return to work.

 

Macron met several members of his government on Sunday to discuss the case, the source said.

 

"The president said the behaviour of Alexandre Benalla on May Day was unacceptable, shocking, and that he could not allow the idea that someone in his entourage can be above the law," the source said.

 

It was the first time Macron was reported to have commented on the case.

 

Acknowledging a series of malfunctions at the Elysee palace since May Day, Macron asked the secretary-general of the presidency, Alexis Kohler, to work on a reorganisation of his private office to prevent this happening again, the source said.

 

Lawmakers have launched a parliamentary inquiry into the incident, the lenient initial punishment and the failure of the authorities to report Benalla promptly to the judiciary.

 

Critics of Macron said the incident reinforced perceptions of a lofty, out-of-touch president, following controversies over government spending on official crockery, a swimming pool built at a presidential retreat, and cutting remarks by the president about the costs of welfare.

 

After winning the presidency last year at the head of a new political movement, Macron's poll ratings have been falling steadily, down to barely 40 percent. Despite overseeing a raft of economic and social reforms, the 40-year-old former investment banker has been labelled "president of the rich" by many left-wing critics.

 

The prosecutor's office said on Sunday evening Benalla would be investigated over group violence, interference in public service and illegal wearing of a police badge along with two other felonies.

 

Being the target of an investigation in France does not necessarily lead to a trial.

 

Another man who appears with Benalla was also placed under investigation along with three other police officers who are suspected of having passed on official video surveillance material to Benalla to help him prepare his defence.

 

Benalla has not commented publicly on the allegations against him.

 

French media reported that Benalla, 26, had been granted perks by the presidency such as an apartment in a high-class Paris area and a chauffeur-driven car. He had also been given the highest level of security clearance to the lower house of parliament.

 

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb is to be questioned by members of the national assembly on Monday and by the Senate on Tuesday.

 

(Additional reporting by Jean-Baptiste Vey; Editing by Adrian Croft)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-07-23

[Tchooptip]

 France is rotten by the leftist's press who politicise everything they can without shame for their bad faith, and as most French are calves they fall into the trap most of the time.

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, Tchooptip said:

 France is rotten by the leftist's press who politicise everything they can without shame for their bad faith, and as most French are calves they fall into the trap most of the time.

 

What? Are you saying you think it's ok for someone to impersonate a police officer and savagely beat a protester and manhandle a female protester and then get away with it because he's part of the President's click?

 

 

[domdom]

There is much more in the story than what is said here

. He was acting and dressed as a policeman on May 1st, which he could not do

. When the video went on May 2nd in social medias, the interior minister was informed, he informed the Elysee and the guy only got 2 weeks suspension and put (supposingly) only on administrative tasks inside the Elysee and not outside

. Nobody informed the justice that this guy had committed an offence, when article 73 of the penal code imposes to public servants to do it..

. Benalla was found on various videos or pictures close to Macron and outside the Elysee, which proves in fact he was not punished and everything had been hidden until this came out in the press.. He was close to Macron on july 14th, close to the couple on a private visit on 13th, he was in charge on july 16th to collect the football team from airport, went down with them on the Champs Elysees in the bus, and went wit them to the Elysee.. In between the same day he had a heated verbal argument with the head of the security in charge of the football team and then with a high rank policeman in Hotel Crillon.

. He repeatidly acted as a pol7ceman, arresting people coming too close of Macron.. which he cannot do.

. 2 times in 2016 and 2017 he had been refused an arm permit (due to previous incidents)... which he obtained some months ago upon Elysee request.

He has been granted the grade of Colonel Lieutenant of the gendarmerie Reserve, which never happens to anyone at 26..

. He had a big salary (around 10 K euros), a Renault Talisman high level car with police signs on it he is not allowed to have.. a driver.. a free of charge appartment in luxury government estate Quai Branly ..

. Macron had told him to create a french secret service which was on the way

. In France there is in Elysee a special security group to take care of president and wife.. Benalla was in charge of a separate "private"group acting as Macron s private security.. apparently 14 people, paid on top of the normal security staff...

. Why does this guy, without good educational or professional background, have all this protection ?

On all this Macron has not spoken since wednesday and does not go out of the Elysee..

And much more to add, as some new issues appear hour after hour..

This guy original name is Lahcene Benhalia, french of marrocan origin, born in a suburb of Evreux

 

Have a nice day

[Tchooptip]

33 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

What? Are you saying you think it's ok for someone to impersonate a police officer and savagely beat a protester and manhandle a female protester and then get away with it because he's part of the President's click?

 

 

Why does no one say anything about the glass bottles those two victims were throwing to the police? The "journal Libération" show a video only today showing those two people throwing things to the police. Being in the French language it cannot be shown on TV.

By the way,  they were not savagely beaten, they went home without the slightest trace without anyone knowing their identity at the time, the police knew who it was after only after the videos had been studied, as they did not show up themselves not usual for any "victims"

Benalla is not part of the president click, but the president security personnel! 

And please I never said Benalla behaviour was OK never, I said/think the proportions it takes becomes ridiculous and mostly not to say only politically motivated.

Allow me to have a different opinion, thank you!

[sirocco]

Mini-macron, said emmanuel 1st did well to require a pool, a table service, it will allow him to put his head under the water and send to the head of his attacking plates and bowls when we put it to the big day relationships with some of those around him.

Jawad Bendaoud, the landlord of the terrorists of 13 nov 2015, relaxed, but beating his girlfriend and insulting the police, girlfriend with Makao, former guard of the body of mini-macron who girlfriend with Benalla and Makao copied with mini-macron.
Certainly, emmanuel 1st is for diversity, but African.
It's more of a storm, it's a hurricane.
while respecting the opinion of each.

[domdom]

I think you miss the point... Beating people is a very small part of the scandal...

On this point only, the point is, being a worker, close to Macron, you cannot wear police outfits and sign, beat and arrest people .. then be covered by the highest instances of the country which is not only not right, but also a crminal offence..

I forgot in the long list of my previous post, the fact he asked 3 high rank police executives wednesday, to hand him over copies of the 1st May security CCTV of the square where the beating took place, which is another crminal offence... for which 3 high rank police executives are also suspended from work and also under crminal investigation..

Have a nice day

[Jonmarleesco]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The president said ... that he could not allow the idea that someone in his entourage can be above the law," the source said.

But he did, until publicity forced his hand. 

[domdom]

Just now, in front of the parlamentary enquiry comission created friday to investigate the matter apart from justice, the interior minister will have to answer all questions.. It is live on some french channels

This comission is not a "duplicate" of the court investigation...

The court has to investigate and j6dge the fact that a non police officer, vrom Macron s 1st circle, acted as if he was a policeman, and on top, beated people...

The parlamentary commission is seeking answers upon

. how this guy s action was covered for nearly 3 months and until it came out in the press..

. who knew.. why wasn t it informed to justice

. Who protected him 

Are there other unofficial people like this in the Elysee, and why (this guy does not appear on the Elysee organigram...

Of course some questions can be answered only by Macron, who till date refuses to show up or speak.. 

Etc..