Weather Tonight: 4°c Partly Cloudy Night Morning: 8°c Cloudy

News

Rachida Dati
Speculation: Rachida Dati on her way to the office five days after giving birth

French minister Dati sacked three weeks after birth of daughter

Peter Allen in Paris
23 Jan 2009


FRENCH justice minister Rachida Dati has been sacked from Nicolas Sarkozy's government 21 days after giving birth.

The 43-year-old caused a sensation when she returned to work only five days after the birth of daughter Zohra on 2 January.

Many feminist groups said the single mother had been "bullied" by Mr Sarkozy, who was disappointed by her poor showing at the key department.

Today she confirmed she was to "resign", becoming number two on a list of UMP party members hoping to stand for the European Parliament behind former minister Michel Barnier.

Also on this topic

 

  • Riot axeman terror at McDonald's Axe man A rioter who terrorised diners with an axe at McDonald's has been jailed for five years and three months - one of the toughest sentences for...
  • Terror of boy exposed as gang witness Scotland Yard A boy and his family had to flee their London home after a blunder by the Met and Crown Prosecution Service gave his name to gang members he...
  • Mayor of poverty-hit council hires adviser in £1,000-a-day deal Lutfur Rahman Winterbottom One of the poorest boroughs in London is under fire for spending £1,000 a day on a personal aide for its mayor
  • Hyde Park mega-concerts at risk after neighbours complain about the noise Hyde park crowd Major music concerts in Hyde Park could be axed because Westminster council believes they are too noisy
  • Soho 'field hospital' for drunks reopens David Cameron smile A field hospital set up to deal with London's drunks is being extended as the binge-drinking crisis deepens in the capital
  • Jobless total jumps by 48,000 with UK facing 'zig-zag year' Job Centre unemployment Bank of England Governor Sir Mervyn King warned Britain faces a "zig-zag" year of growth and gloom today as unemployment rose by 48,000
  • Greens and Ukip could test Paddick in fight for mayor poll third place Paddick Brian Paddick could struggle even to finish third in this year's mayoral election, as smaller parties look set to capitalise on Lib-Dem woes...
  • Phone-hack private eye can appeal over human rights ruling Glenn Mulcaire The private investigator at the centre of the phone hacking scandal was today granted the right by the Supreme Court to appeal against a...
  • Britain's athletes could be banned from 2012 for criticising the team Olympic site British athletes risk being banned from the Olympics if they criticise team-mates or sponsors under rules that cover tattoos, contact lenses...
  • Teenager who dreamt of being a judge stabbed 24 times in 45 seconds Three thugs are facing life sentences for stabbing a teenager who had dreams of being a judge 24 times in 45 seconds in front of horrified bus passengers
    •  

    Latest pictures


    Don't Miss
    • London Gateway

      Supersize superport: London Gateway

       London Gateway, the £1.5bn container port under construction on the Thames at Thurrock, will have capacity to unload six of the world's largest ships at one time and have as much impact on the capital as a new airport or half a dozen Westfield shopping centres
    • Matthew Williamson

      One stylish affair: Matthew Williamson

       With London Fashion Week kicking off on Friday, British designer Matthew Williamson tells Rosamund Urwin about breaking up with his ex, post-show partying and his new model man