Mediapart, the French news agency, revealed at the weekend that a report by Olaf, the European Anti-Fraud Office, had accused Le Pen and three other MEPs – including Jean-Marie’s father – of abusing European Parliament funds. The report also claimed that Ms Lepen had personally embezzled around € 137,000 in public money from Strasbourg during her tenure as MEP between 2004 and 2017. On Sunday, French prosecutors confirmed that they were examining the allegations. Representatives of the National Rally (RN) candidate said the allegations were designed to hurt Ms. Lepen as she prepares to face Macron in the second round of the presidential election next Sunday. “Every time she is a candidate, there is a stench a few days before the elections. “It usually comes from elsewhere in the European Union one way or another,” said Laurent Jacobelli, RN’s spokesman. “Distorted blows, lies, verbal abuse… I think Macron’s team is so weak that it is willing to do anything. “The European Union is coming to the aid of its little soldier.”