Closer magazine concedes to pulling Hollande-Gayet affair story from website
Closer, the French magazine which broke the story of an alleged affair between president Francois Hollande and actress Julie Gayet, has agreed to pull the story from its website.
The magazine claims the photos it published online, as well as for an exclusive story in its print edition, show Hollande arriving at a Paris apartment followed soon after by Gaynet. The report suggested that he had “got into the habit of spending the night”.
However, at the request of Gaynet’s lawyers the publication has agreed to pull the online story.
"Julie Gayet's lawyer contacted us to ask us to remove all references relating to this from the site and from Google searches. We will remove the news, probably tonight, because this is a very clear injunction. However, we have had no contact with the Elysée (Palace),” said managing Editor Laurence Pieau, adding that it would not recall the magazine from newsstands.
This is not the first time Closer France has courted controversy over its content. In 2012, it caused outrage when it published pictures of Kate Middleton sunbathing topless.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge went on to sue the magazine, with a representative at the time saying: "The incident is reminiscent of the worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, and all the more upsetting to the duke and duchess for being so.”
Sources close to Hollande have said he is "looking into possible action, including legal action".