Macron unruffled by an unexpected leak at Elysée

THE stray dog the Macrons took into their presidential home in the Elysée palace has displayed a distinct lack of gratitude towards its adoptive owners – by conspicuously peeing on an ornate mantelpiece as the president held a meeting with ministers.

The urinary act of rebellion was recorded for posterity by television news crews who were filming the talks between Emmanuel Macron and three junior ministers in the gilded office of the French head of state.

Nemo, a two-year-old black labrador-griffon cross adopted by Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron from an animal rescue centre in August, can be seen at the back of the room cocking its leg over the mantelpiece and loudly answering the call of nature.

“Does that happen often?” quipped Julien Denormandie, a junior minister, trying to keep a straight face.

“You have caused my dog to behave in a totally inhabitual manner,” said an unruffled Mr Macron, before moving briskly on with the meeting about inner-city development.

Nemo is not the first presidential pet to cause trouble at the Elysée. Ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy’s dogs chewed and scratched furniture, carpets and soft-furnishing at the palace, causing tens of thousands of euros worth of damage.