French artist and comedian Michaël Youn has leaked what he said was the phone number of National Rally MP Frédéric Falcon during a concert, without realising the number was used by the MP’s assistant.
During his performance, Youn displayed a photo of Falcon and a mobile phone number on a large screen in front of several thousand attendees.
The comedian urged the audience to contact the MP, saying: “It’s a very personal message, so I’d like everyone to thank him. Thank you so much, Frédéric!”
In reality, the phone number belonged to an assistant of the hard-right MP.
“Michaël Youn revealed the phone number of my parliamentary staffer during a show in Leucate, mistakenly thinking it was mine, to incite the public to harass me,” Falcon said on X.
“These tactics are despicable. This is the first time that this individual has attacked a member of parliament and their team in such a manner,” he added.
🔴 .@MichaelYoun a dévoilé le numéro de téléphone de mon collaborateur parlementaire en plein spectacle à #Leucate dans ma circonscription – pensant qu’il s’agissait du mien – afin d’inciter le public à me harceler.
➡️Ce sont des centaines de messages qui lui ont été adressés… https://t.co/8diHc0BXLK
— Frederic Falcon (@FalconFrederic) August 25, 2024
The MP stated that the number in question had received hundreds of messages.
Falcon said he had reported the incident to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, citing harassment of his colleague and seeking to “restore the honour of my insulted voters”.
Sébastien Chenu, Vice-President of the National Rally, expressed support for the MP.
“Political harassment … these tactics employed by our opponents are outrageous. It’s even worse when we have to explain the dangers of harassment to children, while a washed-up comedian like Michaël Youn encourages it. Support for Frédéric Falcon,” Chenu stated.
A year ago, Youn had revealed what he believed to be the mobile phone number of interior minister Gérald Darmanin during one of his performances.
An Alternative for Germany party member with the regional state Parliament in Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania was hospitalised after what is alleged to be a politically motivated attack. https://t.co/o0HM3UQFVW
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) May 17, 2024
