French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez Accused of Spreading False Drug Allegations Against MEP Rima Hassan

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez faces serious accusations of participating in the dissemination of false information regarding alleged drug possession by MEP Rima Hassan, sparking calls for his resignation and significant political fallout. The controversy was brought to light by the investigative television program Complément d'enquête, aired on France 2, which scrutinized the circulation of misinformation about drugs purportedly found in Hassan's handbag during her police custody earlier this year in April.

Rima Hassan, detained for promoting terrorism due to a social media post, was falsely implicated in a drug possession scandal. While several media outlets reported that synthetic drugs were found in her possession, these claims were later dismissed by the authorities as the investigation was closed without further action. The allegations intensified when Complément d'enquête revealed that Nuñez had shared information with journalists during a train journey following an official trip. According to the program, the Minister confirmed two types of drugs were supposedly involved and discussed Hassan's assertion that she thought purchasing these substances in Belgium was legal.

The political response has been swift and severe. The left-wing party La France insoumise (LFI) condemned the incident as a "state scandal" and demanded Nuñez's immediate resignation. Party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon criticized Nuñez as a "manipulative minister," highlighting the deliberate misuse of information against a political opponent. Meanwhile, Rima Hassan and LFI leaders denounced the manipulation of facts as a serious breach of trust.

Nuñez's supporters downplayed the revelations, describing the minister's comments as part of an off-the-record conversation regarding information already public. Nevertheless, the scandal raises troubling questions about government transparency and the integrity of information released by officials.

This episode adds to the growing tensions in French politics ahead of the 2027 elections, exposing deep divides and mistrust between political factions. The Interior Minister's alleged role in spreading false drug allegations threatens to damage his credibility and that of the current government, prompting an intense debate about accountability and the ethical conduct of public officials.