French far-right leader Bardella denies media claim he made antisemitic remarks

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French far-right leader Jordan Bardella denied a Mediapart report alleging that he made antisemitic remarks in private messages more than a decade ago, calling the allegations fabricated. The controversy comes as his National Rally party seeks to improve its public image ahead of next year's presidential election, where Marine Le Pen leads polls.

By Michel Rose PARIS, Sept 28 (Reuters) - French far-right leader Jordan Bardella on Monday denied a report by investigative website Mediapart alleging he made antisemitic remarks in private messages over a decade ago, calling the allegations "crude fabrications". The report comes as Bardella's far-right National Rally (RN) party, whose presidential candidate Marine Le Pen is leading polls ahead of next year's election, seeks to clear its racist image and build close ties with Israel.