Threats to French judges in Le Pen case condemned by ministers as 'unacceptable'

French ministers have condemned threats against the judges who convicted the far-right leader Marine Le Pen and banned her from running for public office for five years, as the chief judge was placed under police protection after receiving death threats.

- Kim Willsher

The prime minister, François Bayrou, told the national assembly the judges had his "unconditional support" after they found Le Pen guilty of embezzlement charges.

Virulent threats and insults against the president of the court, Bénédicte de Perthuis, one of three trial judges, began on social media almost immediately after the verdict was announced on Monday. Menacing posts giving the judges' full names, photographs and a part of de Perthuis' address were immediately condemned by French legal bodies.

Bayrou also rejected claims that the verdict - which threatens Le Pen's hopes for a 2027 presidential run - was "political and partisan".

Rémy Heitz, public prosecutor at France's highest court, said the "highly personalised" attacks were "unacceptable" and any threats might lead to criminal prosecution.

"Justice is not political; this decision is not a political decision but a legal one rendered by three independent, impartial judges, in accordance with the law," Heitz said.

The justice minister, Gérald Darmanin, said such threats were unacceptable. "When we call for the rule of law it includes all free and independent magistrates in this country," he said.

He called on far-right MPs to support the threatened judges.