FRANCE: French ex-PM and British wife face ‘fake jobs’ trial

Two years after French presidential favourite François Fillon became caught up in a public funding scandal, investigating judges have recommended that he and his wife Penelope Fillon should go on trial. His campaign collapsed when allegations emerged that Mrs Fillon had been paid for years as a parliamentary assistant without having a pass. The Fillons […]

Two years after French presidential favourite François Fillon became caught up in a public funding scandal, investigating judges have recommended that he and his wife Penelope Fillon should go on trial.

His campaign collapsed when allegations emerged that Mrs Fillon had been paid for years as a parliamentary assistant without having a pass.

The Fillons have always insisted she had carried out the work.

A trial could start by the end of 2019.

It was January 2017, and Mr Fillon, the Republicans party candidate, was leading the polls three months ahead of the first round of presidential elections.
A prime minister under Nicolas Sarkozy until 2012, he was a safe pair of hands for the centre right.