Environmental MP and feminist activist Sandrine Rousseau called on Friday Eric Coquerel, Insoumis MP targeted by a preliminary investigation for sexual assault and harassment, to take the time for the investigation “withdrawal” from the presidency of the Finance Committee.
“He should not preside over the time of the investigation”, declared Ms. Rousseau on France 2. “I do not call on him to resign”, she specified, speaking of “withdrawal”.
Mr. Coquerel, elected from Seine-Saint-Denis and chairman of the powerful Finance Committee at the National Assembly, is the subject of an investigation by the Paris prosecutor’s office after the complaint of a left-wing activist, Sophie Tissier, who accuses of facts that she may “similar to sexual assault”, which he disputes.
During a dance evening, at the end of a day of conferences, Éric Coquerel had “supported gestures, his hands were sticky and slipped on inappropriate parts of the body (…), he touched my buttocks to several times,” says Ms. Tissier.
“Once this investigation is carried out then he will be able to resume his position as chairman of the Finance Committee, if there is nothing,” said the elected official. On the other hand, “if he is indicted, he will have to resign”.
“We must respect the word of women,” she insisted.
Also questioned on the set of RMC-BFMTV, the Insoumis Adrien Quatennens for his part judged that the opening of the investigation was only a “just follow-up” to the complaint of Ms. Tissier, that he “n there are no new facts” and that the facts in question “do not justify a withdrawal”.
07/15/2022 10:47:49 – Paris (AFP) – © 2022 AFP