THE FRENCH MINISTER who was forced to resign over allegations that he assaulted two women he worked with has been charged with rape and sexual assault today and could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

Georges Tron, a junior civil service minister, was forced step down last month following allegations that he sexually assaulted women whilst working in his role as mayor of Draveil, a town south of Paris.

Despite his ministerial resignation he retains that role and works as an MP in the ruling UMP party. He denies the allegations.

The Guardian reports that Tron was released on bail this week after he was arrested and held in policy custody for two days.  Charges of rape and sexual assault by “a person in authority” are punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Two women have made formal complaints against him.

The two women are reported to have come forward after they were emboldened by the New York hotel chambermaid who went to police alleging that the former head of the International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss-Kahn had tried to rape her. Strauss-Kahn has since been charged and faces trial later this summer.

Read more from Angelique Chrisafis on The Guardian >