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Fillon refuses to quit French election despite charges Fillon refuses to quit French election despite investigation
(35 minutes later)
French centre-right presidential candidate Francois Fillon says a judge is placing him under investigation over a fake job scandal - but has vowed to continue his election campaign.French centre-right presidential candidate Francois Fillon says a judge is placing him under investigation over a fake job scandal - but has vowed to continue his election campaign.
For weeks, Mr Fillon has fought allegations that his wife was paid for years for work she did not do.For weeks, Mr Fillon has fought allegations that his wife was paid for years for work she did not do.
Mr Fillon called the investigation "a political assassination" against him.Mr Fillon called the investigation "a political assassination" against him.
President Francois Hollande criticised his words, and accused him of attacking France's judicial system.President Francois Hollande criticised his words, and accused him of attacking France's judicial system.
"Being a presidential candidate doesn't authorise you to cast suspicion on the work of police and judges... or to make extremely serious accusations against the justice system and our institutions more broadly," Mr Hollande said. "Being a presidential candidate doesn't authorise you to cast suspicion on the work of police and judges," Mr Hollande said.
Mr Fillon has been summoned to appear before the judge, Serge Tournaire, on 15 March. Mr Fillon says he has been summoned to appear before the judge, Serge Tournaire, on 15 March.
The date is just two days before the deadline for candidates to submit their final applications. The first round takes place on 23 April, followed by a second-round run-off on 7 May.The date is just two days before the deadline for candidates to submit their final applications. The first round takes place on 23 April, followed by a second-round run-off on 7 May.
Why is Francois Fillon staying in the race?Why is Francois Fillon staying in the race?
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.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.
"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."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.
He said he would respect the summons and tell the judge the truth.He said he would respect the summons and tell the judge the truth.
The judge, Mr Tournaire, has heard several high-profile cases, including those of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and tycoon Bernard Tapie.The judge, Mr Tournaire, has heard several high-profile cases, including those of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and tycoon Bernard Tapie.
How popular is he?How popular is he?
A former prime minister during Nicolas Sarkozy's presidency, Mr Fillon was selected late last year in national primaries held by the centre-right Republicans that attracted some four million voters. Mr Fillon 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 - until the fake job allegations emerged.
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.
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.
Ms Le Pen also faces allegations that she misused EU funds - a claim she denies.Ms Le Pen also faces allegations that she misused EU funds - a claim she denies.
One of her aides is under police investigation over the allegations - but Ms Le Pen has refused a police interview, using her immunity as a European member of parliament.
Analysis by Lucy Williamson, BBC Paris correspondentAnalysis by Lucy Williamson, BBC Paris correspondent
Mr Fillon's decision to cling on sharpens the thorniest question for his party.Mr Fillon's decision to cling on sharpens the thorniest question for his party.
He's due to be placed under formal investigation just 48 hours before the deadline to confirm France's presidential candidates.He's due to be placed under formal investigation just 48 hours before the deadline to confirm France's presidential candidates.
Replacing him as Republican nominee at this late stage would be a big gamble for the party, but having a candidate under investigation could also backfire.Replacing him as Republican nominee at this late stage would be a big gamble for the party, but having a candidate under investigation could also backfire.
Bruno Jeanbart, director of polling company Opinionway, says: "So far, many right-wing voters have stuck with him because they want a change of government.Bruno Jeanbart, director of polling company Opinionway, says: "So far, many right-wing voters have stuck with him because they want a change of government.
"But if they think his candidacy will finish badly, it's possible they will shift their support elsewhere - whether to [liberal centrist] Emmanuel Macron or to [far-right leader] Marine Le Pen." "But if they think his candidacy will finish badly, it's possible they will shift their support elsewhere."
What is he accused of?What is he accused of?
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 for Mr Fillon and his successor, but had no parliamentary pass - raising questions over whether she did the work she was paid for.
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.
His wife also faces a formal investigation, AFP news agency reports, citing a source close to the investigation.
How have other politicians reacted?How have other politicians reacted?
One of Mr Fillon's key allies, former agriculture minister Bruno Le Maire, has resigned from the campaign team.One of Mr Fillon's key allies, former agriculture minister Bruno Le Maire, has resigned from the campaign team.
Mr Le Maire said he felt Mr Fillon had broken his promise that he would step down if formally investigated. Mr Le Maire said (in French) he felt Mr Fillon had broken his promise that he would step down if formally investigated.
Keeping one's word was "indispensable to the credibility of politics", he said in a statement on Twitter (in French). However, other Republicans have expressed their support, with politician Bernard Debre saying Mr Fillon was "doing the right thing" by staying in the race.
However, other Republicans have expressed their support. Rival Mr Macron said investigators should be "allowed to do [their] work as normal", but warned that Mr Fillon would not be cleared automatically of wrongdoing even if he won the vote.
Politician Bernard Debre said the investigation was an attempt to thwart Mr Fillon's presidential hopes, and said he was "doing the right thing" by staying in the race.
Meanwhile, rival Mr Macron said investigators should be "allowed to do [their] work as normal".
He added that even if Mr Fillon won the vote, he would not be automatically cleared of wrongdoing.
Far-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon criticised Mr Fillon's decision, tweeting (in French): "Fillon is asking somehow for the citizens to vote for his immunity. This is not the point of an election."Far-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon criticised Mr Fillon's decision, tweeting (in French): "Fillon is asking somehow for the citizens to vote for his immunity. This is not the point of an election."