Right-wing French politicians were accused of racism yesterday after they attacked a black minister who failed to sing the national anthem at a public ceremony.
Christiane Taubira, the Justice Minister, defended her decision to stay silent by saying she did not believe in karaoke on a public platform.
The far-right leader Marine Le Pen then called for Ms Taubira to be sacked for using the word karaoke while referring to La Marseillaise, the French national anthem.
Earlier, a centre-right member of parliament suggested that Ms Taubira had failed to sing because she does not know the words.
Left-wing politicians said that the controversy was sick and driven mostly by the colour of Ms Taubira's skin. They pointed out that it was perfectly normal, even correct protocol, for ministers and other public figures not to sing the national anthem when it was being performed by a military band.
