TIMES ONLINE: The enmity between President Sarkozy and Dominique de Villepin, the former French Prime Minister, flared into public view at the start of a politically loaded trial over dirty tricks in the last presidential campaign.
Mr Villepin, 55, who is accused of conspiring to smear Mr Sarkozy when both were ministers under President Chirac, delivered a broadside against his former colleague as he arrived with his wife and children at the packed law courts by the Seine.
“I am here because of the decision of one man and the dogged determination of one man — Nicolas Sarkozy,” Mr Villepin said. “I will come out of this a free man and exonerated in the name of the French people. I know that truth will prevail.”
Mr Villepin’s theatrical speech contained allusions to the French Revolution and the ideals of Gaullism. The eloquent former diplomat is seeking to portray Mr Sarkozy as the instigator of the prosecution in the so-called Clearstream affair. >>> Charles Bremner in Paris | Tuesday, September 22, 2009
