Pippa Middleton‘s father-in-law, hotelier David Matthews, is under investigation by French police, over allegations that he sexually assaulted a female minor in the 1990s.
The 74-year-old, who lives in the Caribbean with his wife, was detained by child protection police at Paris Orly Airport this week, and was held in custody for 48 hours.
He was released on bail, and while his conditions are unknown, French officials have confirmed that he is under investigation, with a police representative saying:
“I confirm that David M was placed in police custody on March 27 at the Brigade for the Protection of Minors. The Paris public prosecutor’s office opened a judicial investigation, overlooked by an examining magistrate, who charged him with the rape of a minor. He was placed under judicial supervision. The investigation alleges that the crimes were committed in 1998 and 1999. The investigations will now continue as a judicial investigation and will be led by an investigating judge.”
Under French law, being put under investigation means that there is “serious or consistent evidence” that a crime may have been committed, but it is a step in the process towards a trial, and the matter can be dropped without proceeding to court.
One of the alleged incidents is understood to have taken place on St Bart’s, and the other in Paris the following year.
David Matthews is the father of James Matthews, who married Pippa Middleton last year. He is also the father of Spencer Matthews, who has appeared on British TV shows Made In Chelsea and I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here.
A representative for the 74-year-old made a statement, saying:
“David Matthews categorically denies the allegation and unequivocally contests the untrue and scandalous accusation.”
