A French senator is being investigated over allegations he drugged an MP with the intention of sexually abusing her.

Joel Guerriau is a member of the conservative Horizons party, which is part of President Emmanuel Macron‘s ruling coalition government.

The 66-year-old has been accused of drugging Sandrine Josso, 48, who is from the centrist Modem party.

Mr Guerriau’s lawyer, Remi-Pierre Drai, told Reuters news agency he was under investigation for administering “a substance liable to alter her discernment or control over her actions, in order to commit rape or sexual aggression”.

He is also being investigated “for possession and use of substances classified as drugs”.

The senator has denied the accusations.

Ms Josso’s lawyer, Julia Minkowski, said she had felt ill after drinking a glass of champagne at Mr Guerriau’s flat.

She claimed she had seen him handling a small plastic bag with a white substance.

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It is not clear why Ms Josso, whose party is also part of the government, was at the flat.

Both politicians are from France‘s western Loire-Atlantique district.

Mr Guerriau has been placed under judicial control while the Paris prosecutor’s office carries out its investigation.

He is barred from contacting Ms Josso or any witnesses.

He has also been suspended from his Horizons party.

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