Macron minister denies using his power for sex

Emmanuel Macron’s public accounts minister has denied using his political position to gain sexual favours, dismissing a second complaint from a woman this week as “slanderous”.

Paris prosecutors launched an investigation on Tuesday after a woman filed a complaint alleging that Gerald Darmanin, 35, had abused his powers while mayor of Tourcoing in 2015 and 2016. The ambitious Rightwinger, who is part of Mr Macron’s inner circle, denied the claims.