Le Pen’s lawyer says they are being questioned over alleged misuse of EU funds to pay parliamentary assistants.

The two held for questioning are Le Pen’s bodyguard, Thierry Legier, and her chief of staff, Catherine Griset.

They are key figures in an investigation opened following demands by the European Parliament that Le Pen repay money she is accused of wrongly paying the two.

“The French can tell the difference between genuine scandals and political dirty-tricks,” Le Pen told reporters in Meaux. She has denied any wrongdoing.