Sarkozy illegal immigrant probe

The two Malians were arrested at La Lanterne residence

French police have launched an inquiry into how two illegal immigrants came to be employed at an official residence used by President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The two men from Mali, who were renovating a house in Versailles, were arrested this week for having false residency papers.

They have now been released but could face prosecution or deportation.

Mr Sarkozy, who became president in May, has a reputation for being tough on illegal migrants.

He has promised to deport thousands of people without residency papers in 2007.

'In good faith'

The Malian workers were helping renovate La Lanterne - a residency usually used by French prime ministers but the one that Mr Sarkozy has been frequenting since he took office.

A government spokesman denied claims by France's Le Parisien newspaper which reported that the president himself had requested the works because he wanted a swimming pool to be repaired.

The spokesman said that the property had been undergoing general improvements since 2002.

He added that the two immigrants had only just started their jobs and the firm that employed them had done so in good faith and would not be prosecuted.