Bétharram Scandal: François Bayrou Accused of Lying to Parliamentary Inquiry

French Prime Minister François Bayrou is under fire after a high-profile hearing before the parliamentary commission investigating violence in schools. He is accused of having lied under oath about his knowledge of abuse at the Catholic institution of Bétharram, where his own daughter was a victim.

In a tense five-hour hearing held on Wednesday, May 14, François Bayrou was questioned under oath by members of the commission of inquiry into violence in educational settings. The next day, the commission’s co-rapporteurs addressed the press, presenting sharply divergent interpretations of the Prime Minister’s statements.

Shifting Accounts Raise Doubts

Paul Vannier, a deputy from the left-wing La France insoumise (LFI) and co-rapporteur of the inquiry, directly accused Bayrou of lying. “He changed his version of several key facts,” Vannier said, referencing Bayrou’s prior denials of any knowledge about the abuse that took place at Bétharram. “The sworn testimony shows he lied — in the National Assembly and in the media.”

Documents obtained by the commission and various witness accounts suggest Bayrou had prior knowledge of the abuse. The Prime Minister had repeatedly claimed, including in interviews with Le Point, Le Monde, and Le Parisien in early 2024, that he had not been informed. Yet, under oath, he acknowledged learning about the events through media reports — a major shift in his narrative.

Le Monde also highlighted another inconsistency: Bayrou claimed to have learned “for the first time” during the hearing about the conviction of a staff member for slapping a student, even though the newspaper had already informed him of this incident in February.

Tension and Division

The hearing was marked by sharp exchanges between Bayrou and Paul Vannier. “It turned into a duel,” lamented co-rapporteur Violette Spillebout, a Renaissance party MP, who disagreed with her colleague’s interpretation. “He answered every question and told his truth,” she said.

The Prime Minister, for his part, described the hearing as “a liberating moment.” Speaking to the press afterward, he said: “For the first time, I was able to respond — not with denials or arguments, but with evidence — and show that the accusations had no basis.”

The government has stood by Bayrou. “The President of the Republic has reaffirmed his full confidence in the Prime Minister,” said government spokesperson Sophie Primas.

Mixed Reactions from Victims

Reactions among victims were equally divided. Alexandre Perez, a member of the Bétharram victims’ collective and a city councillor in Pau, told France Inter that the hearing brought clarity. “He laid out everything he had,” he said. However, he acknowledged that “not all victims feel the same,” and criticized the commission for delaying proper support: “That’s the real issue.”

A Proposal for the Future

At the end of the hearing, Bayrou proposed creating an independent authority on violence against children, encompassing schools, sports and cultural associations, and even families. The body would include both a scientific advisory board and a victims’ council.