Paris police probe ‘clandestine’ luxury dinner parties claim
Paris police have been investigating claims of ‘clandestine’ luxury dinners attended by wealthy guests, following an undercover media report.
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France’s interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, said he asked Paris prosecutors to investigate after television channel M6 released undercover footage appearing to show a secret luxury dinner party in the city.
Masks were not required at the event and the fine dining treats awaiting guests included Champagne and caviar, according to M6, which tweeted footage allegedly showing inside the venue.
Its report featured one person saying they had attended other clandestine restaurants and that guests had included ministers. No names were given, however.
Restaurants and cafes in France have been closed for several months due to ongoing Covid restrictions.
Interior minister Darmanin said on Twitter, ‘Following the M6 report, I asked the Paris police prefect to verify the accuracy of the reported facts in order, if they are verified, to prosecute the organisers and participants of these clandestine dinners.’
The report comes as France enters a third national lockdown, with schools and non-essential shops set to close for four weeks.
More than 8,000 banned gatherings of various kinds have taken place across French territory since 15 December, said France’s interior ministry today (6 April).
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Marlène Schiappa, the minister delegate for citizenship – attached to the Interior Ministry – called on all French people to take responsibility for preventing the spread of Covid. ‘Protecting oneself from the virus is also protecting others,’ she said.
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Chris Mercer is a Bristol-based freelance editor and journalist who spent nearly four years as digital editor of Decanter.com, having previously been Decanter’s news editor across online and print.
He has written about, and reported on, the wine and food sectors for more than 10 years for both consumer and trade media.
Chris first became interested in the wine world while living in Languedoc-Roussillon after completing a journalism Masters in the UK. These days, his love of wine commonly tests his budgeting skills.
Beyond wine, Chris also has an MSc in food policy and has a particular interest in sustainability issues. He has also been a food judge at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.