Police raid Francois Fillon's home amid fake jobs scandal

French police have searched the home of presidential candidate François Fillon as part of an ongoing investigation into an allegedly fictitious Parliamentary job given to his wife, French media reports. 

The raid was conducted on Thursday morning in Paris, as Fillon visited winegrowers in southern France. However, authorities have not commented on the search, according to Le Parisien.

Fillon’s parliamentary office had already been searched last month.

Fillon has consistently denied allegations that he employed his wife, Penelope Fillon, in a fictitious capacity

The Le Canard Enchaine newspaper alleges she was paid €831,400 over several years for working as a parliamentary assistant for Fillon and his successor, but had no parliamentary pass - raising questions over whether she did the work she was paid for.

Fillon had previously sworn to step down from the presidential race if an investigation was launched but has since backtracked his pledge, vowing to continue his presidential campaign.

He confirmed on Wednesday that he would be summoned for questioning over “Penelopegate” on 15 March, claiming the investigation process had been unfair and amounted to a “political assassination”.

The list of potential charges include misappropriation of public funds, abuse of public funds and influence trafficking. 

He was once seen as the favourite to win the election but his poll ratings have dropped since the scandal emerged.

The former Prime Minister, who is running for the centre-right Républicains, also faced a rebellion by members of his party last month and insisted his withdrawal from the race would destabilise their campaign.