A criminal enquiry has been launched after an arson attack on the home of the President of France<\/strong><\/a><\/span>‘s National Assembly.<\/span><\/p>\n Richard Ferrand, who is the equivalent of the Speaker in Britain’s House of Commons and a close personal friend of President Emmanuel Macron<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, described the attack on the property in his Brittany constituency as ‘violence and intimidation’.<\/span><\/p>\n The National Gendarmerie discovered a blanket, tire residue and a homemade torch soaked in fuel on the site, leaving ‘the criminal origin in no doubt,’ according to a statement from Mr Ferrand’s office.<\/span><\/p>\n The attack follows months of regular disturbances by the Yellow Vest anti-government movement, who have been behind similar blazes.<\/span><\/p>\n They were back on the streets of major cities including Paris on Saturday for an ‘Act 13’ of demonstrations that frequently turn into riots.<\/span><\/p>\n Responding to the blaze, President Macron said: ‘Nothing justifies violence or intimidation against an elected representative of the Republic. All my solidarity with Richard Ferrand and his family.’<\/span><\/p>\n In turn, Mr Ferrand, 56, posted two photos of the damage to the home in Motreff, which is in the Finistere department of Brittany.<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Ferrand was not in the house, which he shares with his partner – the lawyer Sandrine Doucen- at the time, and nobody was hurt.<\/span><\/p>\n A statement released through his parliamentary office said he was signing official documents in Rennes, Brittany, when the attack happened on Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n ‘A neighbour noted that his home located in Motreff, in his constituency of Finistere, had been the target of an arson attack,’ the statement reads.<\/span><\/p>\n ‘The National Gendarmerie discovered a blanket, a tyre particle, and a homemade torch soaked in fuel,’ adding that ‘the criminal origin does not seem in doubt.’<\/span><\/p>\n Continues \u2026<\/a><\/p>\nFrance’s ‘yellow vest’ protests rage into 13th week<\/h2>\n