Carla Bruni ‘accused of nepotism’

The first lady of France Carla Bruni has been accused of nepotism – an issue which could see employers taken to an employment tribunal if suspected of a similar misdemeanour.

French news magazine Le Point has claimed that a government appointment’s commission had considered Francois Baudot not right for the role of new Inspector general of cultural affairs.

However, the 60-year-old – who is godfather to Ms Bruni’s son and had been friends with the former model and musician for 15 years – has now landed the government position, which pays £4,500 a month.

While Mr Baudot was originally not thought of as right for the job, the magazine reported that he had the backing of president Nicolas Sarkozy, prime minister Francois Fillon and culture minister Frederic Mitterrand.

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According to the Telegraph, a recent poll by Reader’s Digest revealed that almost half (48 per cent) of people felt that Ms Bruni was able to influence her husband’s decision making when it came to matters of government.