French budget chief under pressure after rape accusation

Posted: Updated:
(AP Photo/Christophe Ena). FILE. In this May 17, 2017 file photo Newly named French minister in charge of the budget, Gerald Darmanin, is pictured during an handover ceremony in Paris. France's government is sticking by its budget minister as he fights... (AP Photo/Christophe Ena). FILE. In this May 17, 2017 file photo Newly named French minister in charge of the budget, Gerald Darmanin, is pictured during an handover ceremony in Paris. France's government is sticking by its budget minister as he fights...
(AP Photo/Francois Mori). FILE. In this June 28, 2017 file photo French Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris. France's government is sticking by its budget minister as he fights a rape ac... (AP Photo/Francois Mori). FILE. In this June 28, 2017 file photo French Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris. France's government is sticking by its budget minister as he fights a rape ac...

PARIS (AP) - Pressure is mounting on a member of French President Emmanuel Macron's government accused of rape.

Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin strongly denies wrongdoing, and other government members have rallied around him. Darmanin is the highest-ranking French official accused of sexual misconduct since the Hollywood scandals that broke last year.

Nearly 3,000 people signed an online petition launched by a feminist group urging the prime minister to fire Darmanin. It argues that ministers facing corruption investigations have lost their jobs in the past, and asks whether being accused of a sexual crime "is less serious."

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe's office said Monday that he continues to have confidence in Darmanin.

A preliminary investigation is underway into an accusation that Darmanin raped her when she sought legal help in 2009.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.