Paris, 13 February (H.S.): French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday branded as unacceptable the continued employment of diplomat Fabrice Aidan amid revelations of over 200 email exchanges with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein dating back to 2010, when Aidan represented France at the United Nations in New York.

Speaking to journalists in Alden Biesen, Belgium, during a summit, Macron—newly apprised of the scandal—insisted something should have been done years earlier if authorities knew of U.S. investigations into Aidan for allegedly viewing child pornography, as reported by Mediapart and 20 Minutes on Tuesday.

Aidan, a principal foreign affairs secretary currently on personal leave and working privately, allegedly shared UN Security Council documents, meeting notes, and Paris apartment access codes with Epstein between 2010 and 2016 via personal and official emails, according to U.S. Justice Department files; he denies all accusations, with his lawyer rejecting them outright.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, expressing shock, promptly alerted prosecutors, launching an administrative inquiry, disciplinary proceedings, and referral to French justice—prompting Aidan’s dismissal from recent employer Engie.

Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a child for prostitution and died by suicide in 2019 amid sex-trafficking charges, maintained global ties; Aidan's post-UN career at UNESCO adds gravity, though mere file mentions do not prove wrongdoing.

Macron tasked Barrot with clarifying how measures weren't taken earlier, amplifying scrutiny on institutional lapses in this unfolding diplomatic embarrassment.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar