French writer facing child rape charges ‘pays tribute’ to Bernard-Henri Lévy for support in €650 self-published book

Paris prosecutors began investigating Mr Matzneff last year after the publication of a book detailing his sexual relationship with a girl of 14

Credit: AFP

Gabriel Matzneff, the French writer facing trial for promoting the sexual abuse of children, has reportedly “paid tribute” to one of the country’s best-known philosophers, Bernard-Henri Lévy, for his alleged “staunch support” in a self-published book on his relationship with a 14-year old. 

Mr Matzneff, 84, a long-celebrated writer in France despite talking openly for decades about engaging in paedophilia,  hit the headlines last year after the release of Consent — an explosive bestseller by publisher Vanessa Springora.

In it, she alleged she had a destructive underage sexual relationship with the writer 35 years her senior who held her under his “sway”. She wrote that the two-year ordeal led to years of depression and other psychological problems.

The book triggered the abrupt downfall of Mr Matzneff, who was dropped by his three publishers, stripped of a rare benefit from the French government and abandoned by longtime supporters.

Bernard Henri-Levy had not replied to the claims on Thursday evening

Credit: AFP

While she did not press charges, police subsequently launched an investigation into “rape of a minor”.

He is due to stand trial in September on separate charges brought by l’Ange Bleu, an anti-paedophilia organisation, that he defended and justified paedophilia through his many books and public appearances.

After going into hiding in Italy, Mr Matzneff has now self-published an 85-page response to Ms Springora called “Vanessavirus”, according to French media.

With a print run of 200, recipients had to fork out €100 for a basic copy of €650 for a signed deluxe edition, say reports.

According to AFP, which spoke to an unnamed buyer, the work “pays tribute” to five people for their “staunch support” for the sulphurous writer.

These include BHL, as Mr Henri-Lévy is known, who has previously praised the disgraced writers’ works and has not commented on Consent. 

He has not, however, publicly spoken out in Mr Matzneff’s defence. He issued no comment over the reported tribute and could not be reached by the Telegraph. 

Also reportedly up for praise is Alain Finkielkraut, another high-profile philosopher, who has previously said: “The Springora case is not a case of paedophilia”.

Cited as being on the list is high-profile political commentator and writer Franz-Olivier Giesbert, who said after Consent was published: “One can’t throw names to the dogs.”

Catherine Millet says she does not regret signing a 1977 petition to decriminalise sex with minors

Credit: AFP

Controversial writer Catherine Millet, famed for penning The Sexual Life of Catherine M. about her sexual exploits, is also quoted. Last June, she said she didn’t regret signing a 1977 petition with Mr Matzneff calling for the decriminalisation of sex with minors.

The last name reportedly on the list is Dominique Fernandez, a member of France’s hallowed Académie Française, who last year wrote an op-ed piece against the “good conscience” of those attacking Mr Matzneff.

None had issued a public reaction on Thursday. 

While the precise extracts of Mr Matzneff’s book have not been leaked, L’Obs magazine received an online coupon to buy a copy of the work.

It said it included a text from the writer saying: “Banished from French society, I could not disappear before whispering a few words into Vanessa’s ear.”