French 'bribes' minister replaced

Pierre Bedier denies the allegations of corruption

The French government has replaced a junior minister, Pierre Bedier, who quit on Wednesday over corruption claims dating back to the 1990s.

Mr Bedier is being investigated for allegedly taking bribes when he was mayor of Mantes-La-Jolie, near Paris.

He denies the claims and says he has resigned from the Justice Minisistry in order to clear his name.

He is to be replaced by Nicole Guedj, an Algerian-born Jewish lawyer who deals with human rights issues.

I consider that he has the right, like everyone, to the presumption of innocence Government spokesman Jean-Francois Cope

Ms Guedj, 48, was on the official body which recommended a controversial ban on religious symbols in state schools.

Judge Philippe Courroye interviewed Mr Bedier for six hours on Wednesday about bribes allegedly paid in return for public contracts, before deciding to place him under formal investigation.

Despite the charges, President Jacques Chirac's UMP party has confirmed that Mr Bedier will still run in the March regional elections as its candidate in the wealthy Yvelines suburban district near Paris, where Mantes-La-Jolie is located.

Government spokesman Jean-Francois Cope said: "I consider that he has the right, like everyone, to the presumption of innocence."

In the Justice Ministry, Mr Bedier, aged 46, was in charge of building programmes, particularly prisons