Agnes Saal clocked up 41000 euros in taxi fares during her first 10 months as head of the broadcasting watchdog, the Institut National de l'Audiovisuel (INA). Although she had an official car and chauffeur she had a taxi account because, reasonably, she could not ask the chauffeur to work 12-14 hours per day and week-ends, as her schedule often demanded of her. She has no "permit de conduire" so could not use her own car.
Unfortunately some 6700 euros were used for her son's journeys; she had foolishly allowed him to use her code. There was other private use charged to the account, all of which has led the Minister for Culture, Fleur Pellerin, to ask her to resign. The Minister said she expected officials under her control to set a good example in keeping costs down.
Mme Saal has resigned.
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