15/01/2014 18:58
Actress linked to Hollande 'blocked from culture jury'
France's government has blocked the appointment of actress Julie Gayet, linked to an affair with President Francois Hollande, to a cultural jury, the BBC said.
The culture ministry gave no reasons for blocking Ms Gayet from the jury, which selects scholarships for Villa Medici - the French academy in Rome.
Allegations of the affair surfaced in the magazine Closer last week.
Valerie Trierweiler, Mr Hollande's partner, has been in hospital since Friday with what aides call "shock."
At a news conference on Tuesday, Mr Hollande said he was experiencing a "difficult moment" in his private life.
He refused to answer questions about the allegations, saying "private matters should be dealt with privately."
Ms Gayet has not commented publicly on the allegations.
On Tuesday, Mr Hollande said it was "neither the time nor the place" to answer questions about his personal life.
He said he would not be drawn on the reports of the affairs with Ms Gayet "out of respect for those involved."
But he did say he would clarify whether Ms Trierweiler was still first lady before a trip to the US on 11 February.
Asked about her health, Mr Hollande said she was resting and that he had no further comment to make.
The president has left open the possibility of suing Closer over its report.