Minister in new French government denies rape claims

New French minister of solidarity Damien Abad (Michel Spingler/AP)

A brewing scandal over accusations of rape by a minister in France’s newly named government could taint its first Cabinet meeting – which is meant to focus on purchasing power.

The appointment of Damien Abad on Friday had already been mocked by the right because it came a day after he left his conservative mainstream party for President Emmanuel Macron’s centrists.