Dati 'in floods of tears' after Sarkozy sacked her

THE French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, reportedly reduced his justice minister to "floods of tears" when he sacked her three weeks after she gave birth.

Rachida Dati, 43, rushed back to her desk five days after a Ceasarean section in the hope of clinging on to her post.

But two weeks later, Mr Sarkozy "bullied" her into quitting to stand as an MEP, according to France's satirical Canard Enchainé newspaper yesterday.

She is said to have collapsed in tears as he told her: "If you want to remain my friend, then you have no choice. Either you leave with nothing, or you leave to become an MEP. It's up to you."

Ms Dati – who has famously refused to name the father of her daughter, Zohra, fuelling speculation that he may be a high-profile figure – is said to have replied bitterly: "If I understand you properly, I don't have any choice."

Canard Enchainé reported that Mr Sarkozy called the minister into his office last week and told her: "Trust me, I've treated you well. Do what I say and in one year you'll come back to the government through main entrance."

Ms Dati complained that if she became an MEP she would have child-care problems, because she would be away from Paris for four days a week.

But the president is said to have blithely reassured her that she could carry on using government crêche facilities at the French parliament.

The newspaper added: "The whole conversation reduced Miss Dati to a flood of tears. She was very upset by the entire incident."

Ms Dati was the first politician from a north African background to reach a senior position in the French cabinet, and she became a symbol of Mr Sarkozy's desire to inject diversity into politics.

But her reputation suffered when critics accused her of developing a taste for expensive clothes and jewellery. She was also said to be "heavy-handed" with magistrates, justice officials, guards and her staff.