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Francois Fillon's children questioned in 'fake job' probe

Polls say the one-time favourite for the French presidency may be eliminated in the first round of voting.

Francois Fillon and wife Penelope Fillon
Image: Francois Fillon is suspected of giving his wife Penelope a 'fake job'
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French investigators have interviewed two of Francois Fillon's children as part of a probe into paid - but allegedly fake - jobs working for their father.

The presidential hopeful is accused of embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds regarding parliamentary jobs held by his wife Penelope and two of their five children, Marie and Charles, who are aged in their 30s.

Politicians are allowed to hire family members as aides in France, although it is frowned on by many voters, but they must do the work they are paid for.

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Fillon's wife denies being his paid assistant

French newspaper Le Canard Enchaine, which has published successive revelations in the probe, has claimed that investigators have found "no material evidence" that Mr Fillon's wife carried out the work for which she was paid €3,700 (£3,100) a month.

Mr Fillon, who served as France's prime minister from 2007 until 2012, is accused of paying his wife Penelope, who was born in Abergavenny, South Wales, €830,000 (£708,000) during the 15 years she worked on and off as his aide.

Pierre Cornut-Gentille (L) and Antonin Levy (R), lawyers of French presidential election candidate for the right-wing Les Republicains (LR) party Francois Fillon, address a press conference on the 'fake job' claims against presidential hopeful Fillon and his wife Penelope, on February 9, 2017, in Paris
Image: Pierre Cornut-Gentille and Antonin Levy, lawyers of Francois Fillon and wife Penelope

He and his lawyer Antonin Levy has said that his client has given "explanations" regarding the work done by his children between 2005 and 2007.

On Monday, Mr Fillon he made in hiring his family members but continued to deny his wife was paid for a fake job.

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Meanwhile, Mr Levy and Pierre Cornut-Gentille, Mrs Fillon's lawyer, have said prosecutors should drop the case.

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French presidential candidate: Who is Francois Fillon?

The lawyers said the investigation violates the separation of powers required under the French constitution.

"The current investigation on the Fillon case is blatantly null and violating major principles of French law - French constitutional law on one side, and the French criminal law on the other side," Mr Levy said.

They added that they had lodged a complaint for breach of confidence relating to information appearing in the press which cast doubt on the "impartiality" of those leading the inquiry.

Protesters hold placards reading 'I have suffered to live' (L) and 'Fillon, give us our money back - where is your morale' during the visit of French presidential election candidate for the right-wing Les Republicains (LR) party Francois Fillon to the Mediatheque du Grand Troyes, in Troyes, northeastern France, on February 7, 2017
Image: Protesters hold placards reading 'I have suffered to live' and 'Fillon, give us our money back'

Mr Fillon's popularity has and some polls now suggest the one-time favourite to succeed Francois Hollande faces elimination in the first round of voting.

This would likely mean the Front National's Marine Le Pen and independent Emmanuel Macron would make it through to the final run-off in May

Mr Fillon, 62, has so far refused to abandon his Elysee Palace bid, saying he is the victim of a media plot.