French President Emmanuel Macron’s former top security aide admitted he “made a mistake” in attending a demonstration where he was filmed roughing up May Day protesters, in an interview published Thursday. But Alexandre Benalla also denounced what he said was a “desire to get at the president” over the scandal. And have made a mistake… I should never have gone to that demonstration as an observer, then I should have held back” he told the newspaper Le Monde. Revelations that top officials in Macron’s office knew about the incident have sparked furious opposition claims of a cover-up in the worst scandal since the 40-year-old office took office last year. Benalla was charged Sunday with assault and impersonating a police officer.

Source: The Guardian July 26, 2018 09:33 UTC