French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou struck a defiant tone in parliament on Wednesday as he insisted during a tense hearing that he only knew of claims of sexual abuse at a Catholic school from media reports.

The 73-year-old politician faced one of the most delicate moments of his five months in office as he responded to questions from a committee investigating claims of sexual abuse at a Catholic school.

Bayrou has faced opposition claims that as education minister between 1993 and 1997 he knew of widespread physical and sexual abuse at the Notre-Dame de Betharram school in southwestern France over many decades.

But on Wednesday he stuck by his previous statements and said that during his time as education minister he had "not received any information other than what was reported in the press".

"I had nothing to hide," he said.

He signalled his desire to cooperate, saying the inquiry into what he called the "MeToo for children" was finally taking place.

"For me, this hearing is very important. It is very important for the boys and girls who have been victims of violence, particularly........

© International Business Times