Chirac backs disgraced Juppe as threats probe looms

FRENCH President Jacques Chirac yesterday offered public support to the man once seen as his likely successor but now disgraced after being convicted for his role in a party financing scandal.

"I have friendship, esteem and respect for Alain Juppe," Mr Chirac said, calling his most faithful ally a "politician of exceptional quality."

"France needs men of his quality," Mr Chirac said.

The president spoke at Marseille City Hall after Mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin praised Mr Juppe's "honesty" and "integrity."

Mr Juppe, 58, was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence on Friday for his role in a party funding scheme while he served as finance director at Paris City Hall during Mr Chirac's 18-year tenure as mayor. City funds were used to pay personnel of Mr Chirac's Rally for the Republic party, now known as UMP and fake city jobs were created to cover up the source of funding.

The conviction meant Mr Juppe was automatically banned from holding office for 10 years a crushing sentence for the man who was widely considered to be Mr Chirac's pick to succeed him. The next presidential election is in 2007.

Mr Juppe, who served as prime minister from 1995 to 1997 and is considered one of France's brightest political stars, heads Mr Chirac's party. He also is an MP and mayor of Bordeaux.

Mr Juppe's lawyer, Francis Szpiner, has said he would appeal the verdict. This weekend, the case took on a new dimension as allegations of "threats and pressures" surfaced against the three-judge panel that convicted Mr Juppe.

Mr Chirac ordered an investigation by a commission composed of members of France's highest administrative, financial and judicial bodies. The commission is to reveal its findings by the end of the month.

The office of p rime m inister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said judges had indicated cases of "breaking and entering" at the court.

The judges also referred to "threats and pressures on some members of the judicial corps in the heart of this jurisdiction," a statement from the prime minister's office said.

"If true, these events are of extreme severity," the statement said.

The head judge said her office had received unspecified "visits" and court computers were searched by unidentified people.

"We don't know who is behind these things," Judge Catherine Pierce said.

The judges also believed their personal and office phones had been tapped, she said.

Mr Chirac made no mention of the allegations surrounding the judges when he spoke yesterday but he said Mr Juppe "must make a decision".

"I respect it, whatever it is," Mr Chirac said.

Mr Juppe has made no comment since the verdict, spending the weekend in Normandy and returning to Bordeaux City Hall. He is expected to speak today about the matter.