Florence Woerth satisfies police inquiries; now it’s Eric’s turn

The French government has given prosecutors the green light to question embattled Labour Minister Eric Woerth on Wednesday over career-damaging allegations that he accepted cash donations from the country’s richest woman and L’Oreal heiress, Liliane Bettencourt.

Photo: Reuters

The announcement was made following the police questioning of his wife Florence Woerth, a former employee of the wealth management firm Clymene which manages the Bettencourt family fortune.

Leaked recordings of private conversations between Bettencourt and Florence Woerth's boss suggest the 87-year-old heiress was seeking to avoid tax and saw Woerth as a possible ally.

But Florence Woerth's lawyer, Antoine Beauquier, confirmed on Wednesday that he had accompanied his client to a police station in Paris for questioning, and said she was treated as a witness as opposed to a suspect, and was neither detained nor charged.

"I'm pleased that Mrs Woerth can at last put her side of the story after she has been victim of so many stories in recent weeks," he said.

Now it’s Mr Woerth’s turn under the interrogation lamp. Dogged by ongoing accusations that Woerth had a conflict of interest, the cabinet was no doubt keen to finally approve the questioning – a step necessary before prosecutors can interview a minister in France.

Woerth, who has already stood down as chief fundraiser for Sarkozy's party, insists no foul play on his part and is adamant that he will not resign as labour minister.