French deputy speaker is latest to face sexual harassment claims

(FILES) This file photo taken on July 2, 2013 shows French Member of Parliament, Denis Baupin from Green party, speaking at the lectern during a debate on adaptation to European Union law in the field of sustainable development, at the National Assembly in Paris. French vice-president of the National Assembly Denis Baupin resigned after accusations of harassment and sexual assault, reported by French medias Mediapart and France Inter on May 9, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / JACQUES DEMARTHON

PARIS: A deputy speaker of France’s parliament resigned on Monday after becoming the latest French politician to face sexual harassment allegations, although he vehemently denies the claims.

Denis Baupin, a former member of the ecologist EELV party who is married to Housing Minister Emmanuelle Cosse, plans to sue the women for defamation, his lawyer Emmanuel Pierrat said.