PARIS (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered a reorganization of his office after acknowledging failings in the way the presidency handled a scandal over Macron’s top bodyguard who was filmed beating a protester on May Day, a source close to the presidency said on Sunday.
French President Emmanuel Macron accompanies Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev (not seen) after a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 20, 2018. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
Alexandre Benalla, long a fixture at Macron’s side, was placed under investigation on Sunday in a case that has sparked a political storm.
The source also told Reuters Macron had deemed the actions of his bodyguard “unacceptable” and “shocking.”
Reporting by Jean-Baptiste Vey; Writing by Matthias Blamont; Editing by Adrian Croft