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Francois Fillon and wife questioned over payment row Francois Fillon and wife questioned over payment row
(about 4 hours later)
French police have interviewed presidential candidate Francois Fillon and his wife Penelope over claims she was paid for fake work, media report. French police have interviewed presidential candidate Francois Fillon and his wife Penelope over claims she was paid for fake work.
Last week investigators began a preliminary inquiry into reports she earned €500,000 ($534,000; £428,000) as her husband's assistant in parliament. They provided information that would help find the "truth", Mr Fillon said.
Last week investigators began a preliminary inquiry into reports she earned €500,000 ($534,000; £428,000) as her husband's parliamentary assistant.
Le Canard Enchaine newspaper has questioned how much work she did for the money between 1998 and 2012.Le Canard Enchaine newspaper has questioned how much work she did for the money between 1998 and 2012.
Both the centre-right candidate and his Welsh-born wife deny any wrongdoing.Both the centre-right candidate and his Welsh-born wife deny any wrongdoing.
Mr Fillon said last week he was "outraged by the contempt and misogyny" in the story. In a statement, he said that the information they provided to police would prove the work done by Mrs Fillon.
He also said that he wanted to be heard by the investigators. Mr Fillon said last week he was "outraged by the contempt and misogyny" in the newspaper's story.
The 62-year-old candidate for the right-wing Republicans party is the front-runner for the presidential election in April, with National Front leader Marine Le Pen and centrist Emmanuel Macron seen as his main challengers. He also said that he wanted to be heard by the investigators and would step down if put under formal investigation.
Republican jitters
The husband and wife were questioned separately by police specialising in financial crime, BBC Paris Correspondent Hugh Schofield says.
The whole affair is causing serious jitters in Mr Fillon's centre-right Republican party, he adds.
They are hoping that the documents provided to police are enough to show that Penelope Fillon did indeed earn the money she received.
Mr Fillon, 62, is the front-runner for the presidential election in April. National Front leader Marine Le Pen and centrist Emmanuel Macron are seen as his main challengers.
The practising Catholic is an admirer of Margaret Thatcher and defeated the more moderate Alain Juppe in a landslide at party primaries in November.
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