France to investigate fake news claims as election debate turns ugly

THE PARIS prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into whether fake news is being used to influence voting in the French presidential election.

Prosecutors started the preliminary probe into accounts of forgery and spreading false news in order to divert votes after centrist presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron filed a lawsuit yesterday.

Mr Macron sued after farright rival Marine Le Pen suggested in a debate that he could be holding an offshore account in the Bahamas.

Ms Le Pen quickly backed away from the suggestion as those rumours were debunked.

Many French voters are struggling financially and would not look kindly on candidates who had wealth stashed in offshore accounts.

Mr Macron is facing Ms Le Pen in Sunday’s run-off vote.

Le Pen yesterday said she had no proof her rival Emmanuel Macron holds a hidden bank account in the Bahamas.

The far-right candidate raised the issue during their heated TV debate on Wednesday when she alluded to a rumour circulating on social networks.

Centrist Mr Macron’s camp said the former investment banker was the victim of a “cyber misinformation campaign”, adding that they could take legal action.

Asked on BFM TV whether she was formally accusing Mr Macron of having a secret offshore account, Ms Le Pen said: “Not at all. If I wanted to do so I would have done it yesterday. I’ve just asked him the question.

“If I had proof, I would have claimed it yesterday.”

The latest opinion polls show the pro-EU Mr Macron holding a strong lead over his rival.