Villepin denies speaking of rival Sarkozy at key meeting

French prime minister Dominique de Villepin today said the name of his chief rival, interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy, was never mentioned at a critical 2004 meeting at the centre of a scandal that has thrown the government into crisis.

“Sarkozy’s name was not mentioned in connection with this affair,” Villepin said.

Sarkozy is portrayed as the main target of the scandal linked to an alleged kickback scheme that turned out to be fabricated.

The political opposition has called for Villepin’s resignation.