Affair gossip: Sarkozy declares war on journalists

Two journalists working for the Internet edition of the Journal du Dimanche,which gave wide coverage to the rumours,have lost their jobs apparently under pressure from the Elysée.

“We are going to war on these ignominious reports. We want to take things as far as we can to make sure this will never happen again. We want those who tried to spread fear to feel fear themselves,” the Independent quoted Pierre Charon,a senior communications aide to Sarkozy,as telling internet newspaper Rue 89.

He added: “We are saying we have had enough of the crap pedalled by these people. It goes beyond all reason.”