« Si je ne savais pas, d’autres savaient », a déclaré le premier ministre, interpellé dans l’hémicycle au sujet des violences dans l’établissement catholique du Béarn, affirmant qu’en 1998, le procureur général avait « tenu informé » le ministère de la justice.
François Bayrou has been questioned again about the Bétharram affair, asserting that Lionel Jospin's government was aware of the violence. The Pau prosecutor's office has been investigating since 2023, examining complaints of abuse from 1970 to 1990. Bayrou, whose children attended the institution and whose wife taught there, claims the government and justice system acted appropriately. He noted that the prosecutor informed the justice ministry four times in 1998. However, opposition members, including Paul Vannier, accuse Bayrou of repeatedly changing his story, demanding his resignation.
