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French election: Francois Fillon faces charges French election: Francois Fillon faces charges
(35 minutes later)
French centre-right presidential candidate Francois Fillon has said he will fight on, as he announced that a judge was placing him under formal investigation.French centre-right presidential candidate Francois Fillon has said he will fight on, as he announced that a judge was placing him under formal investigation.
For weeks, he has fought allegations that his wife was paid for years for work she did not do.For weeks, he has fought allegations that his wife was paid for years for work she did not do.
"It's a political assassination," Mr Fillon told reporters on Wednesday.
He has now been summoned to appear before the judge, Serge Tournaire, on 15 March.He has now been summoned to appear before the judge, Serge Tournaire, on 15 March.
"It's a political assassination," Mr Fillon complained. What did he say?
"But it's not just me that is being assassinated, it's the presidential election. The voices of millions of votes have been muzzled." In a combative speech on Wednesday announcing the formal investigation, Mr Fillon called on his supporters to "resist", saying it was up to voters to decide his fate.
Mr Fillon said he would respect the summons and tell the judge the truth. "It's not just me that is being assassinated, it's the presidential election. The voices of millions of votes have been muzzled," the Republican candidate complained.
In a combative speech, the Republican candidate vowed not to give in but to fight to the end, urging voters to follow him. He said he would respect the summons and tell the judge the truth.
"I won't give in, I won't surrender and I won't withdraw."
Who is Francois Fillon?Who is Francois Fillon?
A former prime minister during Nicolas Sarkozy's presidency, he was selected late last year in national primaries held by the centre-right Republicans that attracted some four million voters.A former prime minister during Nicolas Sarkozy's presidency, he was selected late last year in national primaries held by the centre-right Republicans that attracted some four million voters.
For a time he was the favourite in the race to succeed Francois Hollande as president, but then came the "fake jobs" allegations in satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaine.For a time he was the favourite in the race to succeed Francois Hollande as president, but then came the "fake jobs" allegations in satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaine.
He has slipped to third in the polls, behind far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine le Pen and centrist Emmanuel Macron.He has slipped to third in the polls, behind far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine le Pen and centrist Emmanuel Macron.
His appearances have recently been accompanied by loud protests and he has accused the government of allowing the campaign to turn into "a climate of quasi civil war".His appearances have recently been accompanied by loud protests and he has accused the government of allowing the campaign to turn into "a climate of quasi civil war".
What has he done wrong?What has he done wrong?
The allegations circling around the Fillon family focus mainly on his Welsh-born wife Penelope.The allegations circling around the Fillon family focus mainly on his Welsh-born wife Penelope.
Le Canard Enchaine alleged she was paid €831,400 (£710,000; $900,000) over several years for working as a parliamentary assistant but reportedly had no parliamentary pass. She was also alleged to have picked up €100,000 for writing a handful of articles for a literary journal.Le Canard Enchaine alleged she was paid €831,400 (£710,000; $900,000) over several years for working as a parliamentary assistant but reportedly had no parliamentary pass. She was also alleged to have picked up €100,000 for writing a handful of articles for a literary journal.
The family has consistently denied the claims. Initially Mr Fillon said he would stand down as a candidate if his case was placed under formal investigation, but recently he insisted that he would fight on "until victory".The family has consistently denied the claims. Initially Mr Fillon said he would stand down as a candidate if his case was placed under formal investigation, but recently he insisted that he would fight on "until victory".
"The closer we get to the date of the presidential election, the more scandalous it would be to deprive the right and centre of a candidate," he said."The closer we get to the date of the presidential election, the more scandalous it would be to deprive the right and centre of a candidate," he said.
Mr Fillon cancelled a key visit to a farm show on Wednesday morning prompting speculation over the future of his presidential campaign.
"It's like symbolically giving up on your candidacy," said Florian Philippot, close adviser to far-right National Front (FN) candidate Marine Le Pen.