32 h. ago French ministers condemn threats to judges in Marine Le Pen case

Senior figures also reject claim verdict against Le Pen on embezzlement charges was ‘political and partisan’French ministers have condemned threats against the judges who convicted the far-right leader Marine Le Pen and banned her from public office for five years – threatening her 2027 presidential run – and rejected accusations the verdict was “political and partisan”.France’s prime minister, François Bayrou, told the Assemblée nationale the trial judges had his “unconditional support” after they found Le Pen guilty of embezzlement charges, throwing France into political chaos. Continue reading...

Politics

36 h. ago French far right calls for nationwide protests against Marine Le Pen ban

National Rally president says French electorate ‘must be outraged’ at judgment that would ‘rob’ them of a voice Europe live – latest updatesFrance’s far-right National Rally (RN) party is calling for nationwide demonstrations against a court decision to ban Marine Le Pen from public office for five years, seemingly wrecking her hopes of becoming president in 2027.Jordan Bardella, the RN president, said French people “must be outraged” after what he called a “disproportionate, political and partisan” judgment that would rob them of a voice in the election. Continue reading...

Events

44 h. ago French court leaves Marine Le Pen’s political career on the brink

Far-right leader has limited legal options as ruling fires starting gun on race to succeed Emmanuel Macron

Politics

50 h. ago Watch: Marine Le Pen slams guilty verdict as ‘political decision’ after election ban

Marine Le Pen claimed that a court's decision was "political" following its ruling on Monday, 31 March, which banned her from standing for election after she was found guilty of embezzling funds from the European parliament.

Politics

52 h. ago Marine Le Pen attacks ban on French presidency run as a ‘political decision’

Far-right leader, who was found guilty of embezzlement of European funds, says conviction is a ‘denial of democracy’The French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has railed against a Paris court’s “political decision” to bar her from competing for the presidency in 2027, attacking the move to ban her from running for public office as “a denial of democracy”.In a day of high political drama, Le Pen was found guilty of embezzlement of European parliament funds on a vast scale, a conviction for which she was also handed a four-year prison sentence, with two of those years suspended and two to be served outside jail with an electronic bracelet. She was also ordered to pay a €100,000 (£84,000) fine. Continue reading...

Politics

57 h. ago Who is Marine Le Pen? Convicted politician unable to stand at next presidential election

French National Rally parliamentary leader receives a four-year prison sentence for embezzling EU funds

Politics

60 h. ago Marine Le Pen verdict throws National Rally into chaos but could boost far right | Angelique Chrisafis

Conviction is a huge blow to her party and harms her drive for respectability, while serving the victimisation narrativeEurope live – latest updatesIt is a political earthquake that is almost certain to end Marine Le Pen’s ambitions for the 2027 presidential election and throws her far-right party into chaos just as it was setting its sights on taking power in France.Barred from running for political office for five years with immediate effect after being convicted of embezzling European funds for her party, Le Pen’s political future is now thrown into doubt. She will probably not be able to mount a fourth campaign for the presidency in two years’ time. Continue reading...

Events

63 h. ago Marine le Pen faces her 'political death' as court finds her GUILTY of embezzlement charges

The far-right politician and 24 other party officials were accused of having used money intended for European Union parliamentary aides to instead pay staff

Events

63 h. ago Marine Le Pen found guilty in embezzlement case that could torpedo French presidential hopes

The far-right National Rally leader could face an immediate five-year ban from public office

Politics

65 h. ago French court to rule in Marine Le Pen embezzlement case – Europe live

Prosecutors seeking a fine of €300k, a prison sentence and a five-year ban from public office, which would stop far-right leader’s presidential runThe 2027 French presidential election may be two years out, but its first act will play out in a Paris court this morning, as judges hand down a verdict on charges the far-right leader Marine Le Pen and party officials embezzled money from the European parliament.Prosecutors asked for a €300,000 (£250,000) fine, a prison sentence and a five-year ban from public office. Crucially, it would apply immediately, even if she appeals against it. Continue reading...

Events

65 h. ago Marine le Pen faces her 'political death' as court rules today on embezzlement charges

The far-right politician and 24 other party officials are accused of having used money intended for European Union parliamentary aides to instead pay staff

Events

3 d. ago Marine Le Pen’s future to be decided as embezzlement verdict arrives

Far-right leader could be barred from standing for presidency if she is convicted over alleged fake jobs scamThe future of the far-right leader Marine Le Pen – and France’s political landscape – will be decided on Monday when a court hands down its verdict on charges she and party officials embezzled money from the European parliament.If convicted, the three-time presidential candidate of the National Rally (RN) could be barred from standing against Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 presidential election. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago John Swinney vows SNP donor money is safe with him at private meeting

The First Minister addressed members in Perth after former CEO Peter Murrell appeared in court charged with embezzlement.

Economics

1 week ago Who is Peter Murrell? The former SNP chief executive facing charge of embezzlement

Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon were once the SNP’s power couple

Politics

1 week ago Nicola Sturgeon no longer under investigation over SNP fraud claims

Police Scotland says former first minister not charged in party funding inquiry as husband appears in court for embezzlementNicola Sturgeon is no longer under investigation as part of the police case looking into alleged mishandling of Scottish National party funds.Police Scotland said the former Scottish first minister would not face any charges after her former husband, Peter Murrell, appeared for a private hearing at Edinburgh sheriff court on a single charge of embezzlement on Thursday. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Nicola Sturgeon cleared in SNP finance probe as estranged husband Peter Murrell appears in the dock

The announcement comes after the former first minister’s estranged husband appeared in court charged with embezzlement

Politics

1 week ago Nicola Sturgeon's 'vindication' after being cleared in probe as John Swinney says SNP in 'clearer position'

Peter Murrell has appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with embezzlement

Politics

1 week ago Former SNP chief executive Murrell appears in court charged with embezzlement

Peter Murrell made no plea at the private hearing.

Events

1 week ago Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell appears in court charged with embezzlement

Murrell was rearrested last year as part of Operation Branchform

Events

3 w. ago Georgia sentences imprisoned former president Saakashvili to a further 9 years behind bars

A court in Georgia has convicted imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili on embezzlement charges and handed him another prison term of nine years

Events