In yet another impromptu press conference delivered moments ago, French presidential contender Francois Fillon addressed the nation, and contrary to expectations the embattled candidate, fighting an escalating corruption probe, would announce he would drop out of the race, Fillon vowed to fight on, even as he revealed that judges planned to charge him with misuse of public funds.
Fillon confirmed that he was summoned to court on March 15 after earlier on Wednesday being questioned by magistrates investigating a "fake work" scandal involving his wife. Fillon is joined by his former rival in the conservative primaries Alain Juppe.
Fillon blasted the ongoing judicial inquiry as an attempt of "political assassination" directed at him. Having pleaded not guilty in the case of employment of his family members, Fillon will now have to prove it in court.
"I won"t give in, I won"t surrender, I won"t withdraw, I"ll fight to the end," Fillon said ending his speech
Earlier, French media reported that Fillon"s presidential campaign director Patrick Stefanini had offered his resignation. There has been no confirmation yet.
Fillon, who was initially one of the pollsters" favorites, saw his ratings drop after the scandal broke out in late January around his wife allegedly having been paid for jobs without exercising her duties. French media also questioned Fillon"s children"s employment as his parliamentary assistants between 2005 and 2007.
The French financial prosecutor"s office launched an official investigation on February, 24 into an allegedly fake employment of Fillon"s wife. The investigation is devoted to assignment of state funds, complicity, concealment of offenses and trading in influence.
French presidential elections are due to take place in two rounds on April 23 and May 7.
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