Columnist Thomas Legrand was suspended from broadcast by France Inter after a video was broadcast showing him making comments targeting Rachida Dati in front of Socialist Party officials.

France Inter announced Friday evening that it had suspended its columnist Thomas Legrand from broadcasting after the broadcast of a video showing him making controversial remarks targeting the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati , in front of Socialist Party officials.

During this exchange revealed by the monthly L'Incorrect, Mr. Legrand, also a journalist at Libération, declared in particular: "We are doing what is necessary for Dati, Patrick (Cohen) and me," that is to say against her in her race for mayor of Paris, for which she is a candidate. According to the newspaper, the video was filmed in July, without the participants' knowledge, in a Parisian restaurant.

"We have decided to suspend Thomas Legrand from the air as a precautionary measure. He will not be on air this Sunday," France Inter responded.

Patrick Cohen present in the video

Also a columnist on France Inter, as well as for France Télévisions, Patrick Cohen is sitting at Mr. Legrand's table alongside the Socialist Party's Secretary General, Pierre Jouvet, and the President of the Socialist Party's National Council, Luc Broussy. He provides them with an analysis of the political situation during this informal meeting, normally off-camera.

Rachida Dati, the Republican candidate for mayor of Paris, has called for action to be taken against the two columnists.

"Public service journalists and Libération are claiming to be 'doing whatever it takes' to eliminate me from the Paris election. These are serious and unethical comments that could lead to sanctions. Everyone must now take responsibility," she responded on X.

Public service journalists and Libération claim to be "doing what is necessary" to eliminate me from the Paris election. These are serious and unethical comments that could lead to sanctions. Everyone must now take responsibility. pic.twitter.com/DCFOUkCJBr

— Rachida Dati ن (@datirachida) September 5, 2025

Public service journalists and Libération claim to be "doing whatever is necessary" to eliminate me from the Paris election. These are serious and unethical remarks that could lead to sanctions. Everyone must now take responsibility.

On Friday evening, however, Thomas Legrand denied to AFP the alleged intention. "My job is to combat Ms. Dati's lies and her attitude toward the press. I'm not fighting her politically," he said.

The journalist declined to comment on his suspension from France Inter. L'Incorrect, founded in 2017 by Marion Maréchal's close associates, identifies as "conservative" and advocates a union of the right.