France, LFI: ‘We bear no political responsibility for the death of the activist’

Milan, 17 February (LaPresse) – La France Insoumise (LFI) has ‘no political responsibility’ in ‘this tragedy’. This was stated on France Inter radio by the coordinator of the French left-wing party, Manuel Bompard, following accusations over the death of nationalist militant Quentin Deranque, who was attacked on Thursday evening during clashes in Lyon. Bompard spoke of ‘false statements’ and called the treatment of LFI ‘despicable.’ When asked about the role of the far-left group Jeune Garde Antifasciste in the attack, Bompard replied: ‘I support groups that practise popular self-defence and condemn those who beat a man when he is down.’ If the investigation confirms their involvement, ‘they must be punished,’ Bompard stressed, ‘this is not the doctrine of the Jeune Garde, nor of Raphaël Arnault (LFI MP, founder of the Jeune Garde, ed.).’