The prizes have been in the spotlight since the French president announced last month that France would strip Harvey Weinstein of the award following multiple accusations of sexual assault and harassment against the Hollywood producer. “We do not have the Légion d’Honneur to butter people up,” Castaner said, adding that the honour should not be part of an “old boys’ network”. Set up by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the prize has previously been awarded to former ministers, academics, ambassadors and military officers. Castaner said authorities could consider “legitimate” requests to strip the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, of the Légion d’Honneur. Macron has made improving the standards of public life a central theme of his presidency.

Source: The Guardian November 02, 2017 18:11 UTC