A row has erupted in France after a senior leader of the governing UMP party was caught on camera calling a female political opponent a "bitch".
"This is no way to talk about a woman or anyone else," said President Nicolas Sarkozy. The condemnation was echoed by female Justice Minister Rachida Dati.
The politician, Patrick Devedjian, made the remark while congratulating a party colleague for ousting the woman MP.
He has since said he "regretted his inappropriate interjection".
Mr Devedjian added that he had called the woman, centrist former MP Anne-Marie Comparini, to apologise.
The insult was filmed by a television company in Lyon, in the aftermath of this month's general election.
Mr Devedjian is seen congratulating Ms Comparini's UMP opponent, and adding: "That bitch!" - "salope" in French.
The footage quickly found its way onto the internet.
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