“Of course Bayrou will be heard,” said the chairman of the school violence commission

The parliamentary commission of inquiry into violence in schools, created in the National Assembly in the wake of the Betharram affair, announced Wednesday March 12 “Audition” Prime Minister, François Bayrou.

“Of course Mr. Bayrou will be heard by the Commission”said Fatiha Keloua Hachi (PS), the president of the commission, during a press conference in the assembly with the two corapporters, Paul Vannier (LFI) and Violette Spillebout (Renaissance).

Paul Vannier considered that François Bayrou, “As Minister of Education (…) But also as president of the departmental council, may[it] probably shed light on our work ”. The current Minister of National Education, Elisabeth Borne, will also be “Hearing by our committee”added the “rebellious” deputy.

He also clarified that on the first day of hearings, scheduled for March 20, would be heard Alain Esquerre, the spokesperson for the collective of victims of violence within the Notre-Dame de Betharram establishment, at the heart of a scandal of violence and rape spanning several decades. The Pau prosecution is investigating more than a hundred complaints.

François Bayrou has been implicated since the beginning of February by several testimonies claiming that he was aware, what he denies, of first accusations surrounding the establishment, where some of his children were educated.

“The current government cannot” “escape”

Asked about the possibility for the head of government not to go to the summons of the commission, Fatiha Keloua Hachi replied that “The current government cannot” there “Subtract”. “Those who can escape it, it would be the President of the Republic and the close guard of the President of the Republic”she said.

An order fixing the parliamentary rules does not provide any exceptions: the head of government in office is required to respond to the summons of a parliamentary commission of inquiry.

“Protect children”

The list of hearings, which will take place under oath, is also open, said the deputies. The work of the commission of inquiry will take place in three stages, said Mr.^me Keloua Hachi: First the hearings of victims; then those of the administration, including national education; Finally, those of political leaders. The summons have not yet been sent to the latter.

According to the socialist deputy, the hearings of political leaders could be held towards the beginning of May. She hopes for a discount of the commission of inquiry at the end of June.

The Committee on Cultural Affairs and Education of the National Assembly, chaired by M^me Keloua Hachi, set up the powers of a commission of inquiry at the end of February to look for six months on “The methods of state control and the prevention of violence in schools”private and public.

“We want to protect children”said MP Violette Spillebout. “We want it to be possible that there are again abuses for years that are tus and which cannot be revealed and punished at the height of the crimes. »»