Sarkozy’s treasurer to resign

A KEY aide of French president Nicholas Sarkozy yesterday agreed to resign amid a scandal involving claims of illegal political financing.

Eric Woerth, treasurer of Nicolas Sarkozy’s UMP party, said he will quit at the end of the month, under pressure from Sarkozy.

Woerth said after a cabinet meeting yesterday: “Yes, I will do it.”

Woerth said later he would go on July 30, to allow time to find a successor.

Woerth is also labour minister and is expected to keep that job.

A former accountant for L’Oreal cosmetics heiress Liliane Bettencourt said she gave €150,000 cash to Woerth, as UMP treasurer, during Sarkozy’s 2007 presidential campaign. Both he and Sarkozy deny it.