Far-right figure ends crowdfunder for officer detained over shot teenager

Jean Messiha was behind a divisive, and hugely successful, crowdfunding campaign for the family of a police officer detained over the killing of a 17-year-old that sparked rioting across France (AP)

A French far-right figure behind a crowdfunding campaign for the family of a police officer who was detained over the killing of a 17-year-old that triggered riots around the country has announced he is closing the account after it topped more than 1.5 million euro (£1.2 million).

Jean Messiha’s Gofundme effort drew criticism – and plans for lawsuits – amid claims that his real motive was to spread a message of hate and pit the far-right against residents of poor suburbs which have high numbers of people of immigrant origin.