The president of the commission of inquiry on TNT, Quentin Bataillon, is strongly criticized after his appearance on Cyril Hanouna’s show. LFI requests his resignation.
Calls for resignation. The Renaissance deputy Quentin Bataillon, president of the commission of inquiry on TNT, is strongly criticized after his appearance, Tuesday April 2, on the set of the show TPMP, presented by Cyril Hanouna. The grievances relate to the statements of the elected representative of the presidential majority towards the host Yann Barthès, whom he had auditioned. During his interview on C8, the deputy for Loire deplored “the rather arrogant attitude” of the presenter of “Quotidien” on TMC, during his hearing. “It’s the first time I got angry,” he commented.
Comments that intervene while the work of the commission will only end at the beginning of May. This speech was the subject of strong reactions in the political class. We must “show reserve and discernment” in public “positions”, declared the President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet.
“A clumsiness”
But the fiercest criticism came from the left. “The president of the TNT commission of inquiry covers Hanouna, despite being widely sanctioned by Arcom (the audiovisual regulator),” asserted Manuel Bompard, coordinator of La France insoumise. “Macronism is sinking into collusion with Bolloré,” he added, believing that Quentin Bataillon “is disqualified”. The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo spoke of “a real scandal” while calling for his resignation.
Faced with the reactions aroused by his appearance on TPMP, Quentin Bataillon recognized an awkwardness. “It was complicated to do it there, because we can see that there is a very strong conflict between the two shows. It was not my role to do it there, it was a clumsiness and I regret it”, admitted the deputy at the microphone of franceinfo, Thursday April 4. Before adding: “Presence on set, I assume it”.
If the criticisms expressed by the deputy on a person interviewed question the duty of reserve expected in this position, the comments made by Quentin Bataillon on Yann Barthès do not represent a breach of secrecy due to the public nature of the hearing of the presenter of “Quotidien” which was broadcast on the National Assembly website and on the parliamentary channel. The chairman of a commission of inquiry cannot be dismissed, only resignation can take place.