Jack Lang faces calls to resign from Arab World Institute amid Epstein document fallout, as French officials urge him to protect the cultural body’s reputation.
Former French culture minister Jack Lang confronts growing demands to quit as president of the Arab World Institute following renewed questions about his links to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in custody. The 86 year old politician met foreign ministry officials on Friday amid fallout from recently unsealed American court records that challenge his account of a casual connection. Though no allegations of misconduct target Lang directly, voices in government urge him to step aside for the sake of the institution he has led since 2013.
Urgent ministry meeting
Sources within President Emmanuel Macron’s circle reveal that the presidency and prime minister’s office directed ministers to summon Lang and press him to prioritise the institute’s standing. The Paris based centre, dedicated to fostering knowledge of Arab culture along the Seine, now faces unwanted headlines. Officials hope his departure might protect it from prolonged controversy.
Epstein connection revealed
Lang maintains he learned of Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex offences only later and viewed their 2012 encounters, arranged via Woody Allen, as chats about art and films. Court documents tell otherwise, showing friendly exchanges including a 2017 email where Lang praised a day of private jet travel and generosity from Epstein, years after the financier’s legal troubles. These details fuel doubts about the depth of their acquaintance.
Public statements
On French television and radio this week, Lang rejected any stain on his record, insisting Epstein remained an arm’s length contact focused on cultural topics. His decades in politics saw stints as culture and education minister under leaders like Francois Mitterrand, cementing a profile tied to the arts. He brushed aside concerns with a clean conscience claim.
Daughter steps down
Caroline Lang, his daughter, also drew fire, resigning Monday as head of France’s Independent Production Union after her Epstein ties emerged. She says she only discovered his past in 2014 and denies impropriety. The veteran politician’s name surfaces repeatedly in the files, intensifying the scrutiny on his leadership.
Broader scrutiny
The Epstein disclosures ensnare other figures like Britain’s Prince Andrew and former minister Peter Mandelson, exposing elite circles’ ties to the convicted predator. For Lang, the saga risks tainting a career marked by cultural advocacy and public service. The Arab World Institute, meant as a hub for exhibitions and scholarship, grapples with distraction at a sensitive time. While Lang faces no charges, political winds in Paris shift fast against such associations.
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