French PM defends new interior minister

France’s new Prime Minister Jean Castex defended the appointment of a man under investigation for rape as interior minister, which puts him in charge of enforcing French laws. Gerald Darmanin is accused of assaulting a woman in 2009, with an investigation opened in 2017. He denies the allegation. He has the support of Mr Castex, who said yesterday that he took full responsibility for Mr Darmanin’s appointment to the Interior Ministry. He was promoted last week, having served as budget minister. French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said the investigation was “not an obstacle” to Mr Darmanin’s appointment but women’s rights groups challenged the decision.