Judicial sources in Paris on Tuesday confirmed that they have opened a criminal enquiry tied to Le Pen’s attempt to become President of France in 2022.
One said: “A judicial investigation was opened after a report to the courts from the National Commission for Campaign Accounts and Political Financing.”
The enquiry is believed to be related to the National Rally (RN) party allegedly stealing taxpayer-generated funds from the European Parliament.
Le Pen is already facing up to 10 years in prison and a ban on standing for elected office if she is found guilty following an embezzlement trial which opens in Paris in September.
Sources say there is compelling evidence that the 55-year-old illegally accessed some £513,000 on behalf of her party.
She will appear in the dock with 12 other members of the RN, which was previously called the National Front.
On hearing about the trial last September, Ms Le Pen accused the judiciary of acting in a manner that was ‘above all political’.
She raged: “We will present our arguments before the court on their merits.”
All those implicated deny any wrongdoing.
Violent riots and demonstrations exploded across France this past week as left-leaning protestors took to the pavements to rage against an expected right-wing gain in their elections.
It came after Le Pen’s party swept through the polls in the first round on Sunday June 30 and was expected to win the most seats on July 7 – in the second round.
But in a bombshell twist, the New Popular Front (NFP) – a left-wing coalition which did not exist a month ago – secured the most seats in parliament.
