The French Prime Minister Grant

At the beginning of April, around 200 people registered to testify about abuse in the Bétharram institution, according to the local public prosecutor. Bayrous's own daughter revealed last month that she was one of the physically abused people.

One of the most serious allegations dates from the late nineties when the director of the school, a priest, was accused by a former student for rape of children. The judge, who was responsible for the investigation at this point, said under oath that he met with Bayrou in his request in the examination phase and gave him details on the allegations.

The priest committed suicide before the case was completed.

Bayrou initially contested allegations about sexual abuse and said Le Monde that he did not discuss her with the judge at the time. He later went back and informed the legislators that he could have discussed the case with the judge who was his neighbor.

On Wednesday he said he had “no memory of it [conversation]. “” But he added: “I trust the judge” that it happened.

Other aspects of the case revolved over several allegations of violent physical abuse, including the children outdoors on the winter nights as a punishment for misconduct. In a case described during the hearing, a student narrowly escaped the amputation as a result of frostbite.