Women who claimed Brigitte Macron was a man are cleared of defamation
The theory peddled by Natacha Rey, a self-described journalist, and Amandine Roy, a clairvoyant, has become fodder for American conspiracy theorists.
The French first lady and her brother, Jean-Michel Trogneux, brought charges against the women last year.
Ms Rey and Ms Roy were found guilty of defamation in September and ordered to pay 8,000 euros (£6,900) in damages to Mrs Macron and 5,000 euros (£4,300) to her brother.
However, on Thursday the Paris court of appeal overturned the conviction as they said the 18 pieces of video called into question by Mrs Macron's lawyers did not constitute defamation but fell in line with good faith and free speech.
The court did not comment on the veracity of the claims which are false.
In a four-hour YouTube video posted in 2021, the women described Mrs Macron as a 'swindle', 'deception' and 'state lie' while sharing photos of her and her family.
The court ruled that the 18 passages of the video called into question by Mrs Macron's lawyers did not constitute defamation and had made the mistake in 'good faith'.
The decision is a blow to Mrs Macron, who initiated proceedings in 2021.
Jean Ennochi, the lawyer for Mrs Macron, said: 'I'm going to see what my clients and I are going to do, but obviously we don't agree with this ruling.'
Lawyers for the defendants expressed relief and said their clients were vindicated.
Maud Marian, lawyer for Ms Roy, said : 'We're acquitted.'
François Danglehant, speaking on behalf of her client Ms Rey, said: 'Natacha Rey, hunted, persecuted, condemned. But ultimately Natacha Rey, acquitted.'
Baseless rumours regarding Mrs Macron's gender had circulated on French social media for years since 2017, but they resurfaced earlier this year when American far-Right commentator and conspiracy theorist Candace Owens broadcast them in a video titled 'Becoming Brigitte: An Introduction.'
In the video, Owens said: 'When I said that I would stake my entire professional career on the fact that Brigitte Macron, the current first lady of France was born a man, there were many people of course who did not believe me because that just sounds crazy.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
18 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Business confidence worse than during Covid
Business confidence has plunged to an all-time low to surpass the pandemic and Liz Truss's mini-Budget after Rachel Reeves unleashed record taxes on employers. Bosses said they were 'frustrated' that the Chancellor had hit businesses with a barrage of cost increases while failing to improve the economic backdrop. The survey published by the Institute of Directors (IoD) showed the share of business leaders reporting they were pessimistic about the economic outlook exceeded those who were optimistic by 72pc. It means bosses are at their most pessimistic since the monthly survey started running in 2016, to outstrip the Covid lockdowns, fraught Brexit negotiations and the aftermath of Ms Truss's disastrous mini-Budget. Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, accused the Government of 'attacking private enterprise with the zeal of a Left-wing student union'. He added: 'Instead of the cuts in spending which are urgently needed, this socialist Government hits businesses with higher taxes, raised energy costs and more trade-union inspired red tape. 'A year ago businesses faced a summer of uncertainty followed by massive tax hikes. Like a bad horror move franchise, the Chancellor seems determined to release a sequel.' Businesses are slashing investment plans and expect to cut back the number of staff they employ, amid falling revenues and soaring costs. Anna Leach, the IoD's chief economist, urged the Chancellor to 'urgently quash rumours of further tax rises for business this autumn, and accelerate planning reforms and de-regulation to restore confidence and drive growth'. She added: 'Companies continue to battle cost increases – particularly arising from the national minimum wage and National Insurance contribution changes – and many are frustrated that while the Government has been quick to raise costs for business, it has been much slower to deliver improvements to the wider business environment. 'Last year, damaging speculation around tax rises in the lead-up to the 2024 Budget caused many firms to pause investment and hiring decisions – contributing to six months of near-zero economic growth. 'We're now living with the economic consequences of those tax hikes, even as uncertainty around future costs once again builds. With ripple effects through the economy from tax changes and signs of consumer retrenchment, many firms report that they are struggling to plan amid a cacophony of risk.' Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, urged Ms Reeves to 'heed the calls from the Institute of Directors and put to bed speculation about more damaging tax rises'. The economy shrank in April and May, while unemployment is rising and job vacancies are falling as companies cut back spending. October's £25bn raid on employers' National Insurance contributions shocked businesses. The tax rate was increased from 13.8pc to 15pc, and the earnings threshold at which it kicks in was reduced, taking in more part-time workers. The tax rise came into force in April, alongside a 6.7pc increase in the national living wage. Economists estimate that Ms Reeves will have to raise taxes or cut spending to the tune of £20bn or more in the Budget to maintain the buffer against her borrowing rules. But the Government has struggled to make even modest savings, performing about-turns on welfare reform and on the winter fuel payments to pensioners. Two thirds of businesses told the IoD they need action on taxes from the Government, with 64pc calling for help with the cost of employment. Half said they want less red tape, and 39pc said they need lower energy bills. An HM Treasury spokesman said: 'UK business confidence is the highest in 10 years, according to a Lloyds Bank survey published only this week. Since the election, we have struck three major trade deals with the EU, US and India, more than £1bn has been invested to fix our national infrastructure and the Bank of England has cut interest rates four times. 'And because of the tax decisions we took at the Budget last year, we have been able to deliver on the priorities of the British people, from investing in the NHS to cutting lists as we deliver on the Plan for Change.'
Reuters
18 minutes ago
- Reuters
Switzerland is assessing higher US tariff, pushing for 'negotiated solution'
BERLIN/GENEVA Aug 1 (Reuters) - Switzerland's government said on Friday it was assessing the situation after the White House announced a higher 39% tariff on Swiss imports to the United States in an escalating trade war between the two countries. "Switzerland has been and continues to be in contact with the responsible authorities in the U.S.," the Federal Council said in a post on X, adding that it "continues to strive for a negotiated solution". The government said it would analyse the new situation and decide how to proceed. Switzerland, which described the original 31% tariff as "incomprehensible", had been working to reduce the levy on shipments to the United States, its biggest export market. Swiss business leaders and officials have underlined how much Switzerland spends in the United States: the European country is the 7th largest investor in the United States. Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche has said it will invest $50 billion in the United States while rival Novartis has committed $23 billion, while other Swiss companies including chocolate maker Barry Callebaut and engineering group ABB have also announced investments. Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter and Economy Minister Guy Parmelin have visited Washington for talks to press Switzerland's case. Swiss officials drafted a preliminary framework for a deal at a technical level with U.S. officials in early July. Since then, they have been waiting for a sign-off from U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a person familiar with the matter. Switzerland sent about 65 billion Swiss francs ($80 billion) of goods to the United States in 2024, or about one sixth of its total exports of 394 billion francs. Total trade with the U.S. was 91.9 billion francs, or about 12.7% of all imports and exports, Swiss government data show. Switzerland's trade surplus with the United States last year was almost 38.7 billion francs. ($1 = 0.8134 Swiss francs)
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
China-backed centres at UK universities under threat from new free speech laws
Confucius Institutes at universities across England are under threat from new free speech rules, setting off urgent talks between ministers, vice-chancellors and regulators over the fate of the China-backed language and culture centres. Universities fear that the new regulations imposed by the Office for Students (OfS) this month will cause legal headaches with their Chinese partners, including the government in Beijing, and could lead to some being closed. University leaders claim they have been left in the dark by England's regulator over whether or not they are breaking the new rules, which bar foreign governments from vetting staff employed at the institutes. The 20 Confucius Institutes operating in England – including at the universities of Manchester, Coventry and Liverpool – are partnerships between each university, a Chinese university, and an arm of the Chinese state that provides funding. They offer Mandarin classes and promote cultural events but critics allege they also act as a Trojan horse within the education system. The Department for Education (DfE) said it 'welcomed a range of international partnerships with UK higher education' but that they had to comply with UK laws and regulations. 'It is for individual higher education providers to assess whether the criteria of existing arrangements would have the effect of restricting free speech and take steps to address that,' the DfE said. Jacqui Smith, the skills minister, said the government wanted to ensure that universities were 'places of rigorous debate' for all views. Smith said: 'Any attempt by a foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK will not be tolerated. The government has robust measures in place to prevent this activity, including updated powers and offences through the National Security Act. 'We are also working directly with the Office for Students to support universities in safeguarding free speech and tackling any form of harassment on campus.' China's embassy in London did not respond to a request for comment. The new guidance is likely to force the universities to rewrite agreements with the institutes or face sanctions for breaching the OfS's free speech regulations in England, particularly new rules that punish universities involved with 'a foreign-funded institute [that] imposes an ideological test' as a condition of employment. One critical group, UK-China Transparency, says Chinese staff applying to work in the institutes have been asked to provide references to their 'political attitude' and be vetted by a committee of China's ruling Communist party. A spokesperson for the OfS said: 'Where universities or colleges enter into agreements with any country, they must ensure that they continue to uphold freedom of speech within the law and academic freedom. Where they cannot do this, they should immediately take all necessary steps to amend or terminate the agreement. 'Our guidance is clear, for example, that the imposition of any kind of ideological test as a condition of employment would be unacceptable.' Several universities contacted by the Guardian declined to comment publicly. But university leaders said they have asked the OfS for more time to investigate and negotiate with their partners. A spokesperson for the OfS said: 'Any institution not meeting their free speech obligations should take urgent action.' A spokesperson for Lancaster University said: 'Lancaster University is fully committed to upholding the right to freedom of speech for all staff and students. Along with our sector colleagues, we are carefully considering if there are any potential implications in the new guidance for our Confucius Institute, which plays an important role in our internationally diverse academic community.' One university said that the situation was complicated by the OfS refusing to indicate which arrangements would be allowed under the new regulations. A spokesperson for Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors, said: 'UK universities are committed to upholding free speech and academic freedom. They work hard to protect these fundamental freedoms and meet significant legal duties in this area set out by the Office for Students. 'This commitment extends to the partnerships universities have with institutions around the world, which bring important economic and social benefits to the UK.'
