Paris - President Mr Jacques Chirac will refuse to testify to magistrates investigating suspect cash payments he made for luxury trips abroad during his time as Paris mayor, his office said yesterday.
"The presidential office recalls that, given constitutional rules, the president cannot heed any summons since it would be contrary to the principle of the separation of powers and to the demands of the continuity of the state," the statement from the Elysee Palace said.
The flights-for-cash affair exploded last month when L'Express magazine reported that Mr Chirac had spent £310,000 in cash on air tickets for himself, family and friends between 1992 and 1995, when he became President.
