French perfume 'nose' Guerlain in new racism charge

PARIS - French police said Friday they were probing accusations that famed parfumier Jean-Paul Guerlain, who is awaiting a verdict on racism charges, made an anti-immigrant rant against Eurostar workers.

Jean-Paul Guerlain - AFP

Three employees of the high-speed rail firm that links Paris and London made a complaint to police accusing Guerlain of making remarks of a racist nature as they helped the wheelchair-bound pensioner board a train.

Guerlain missed the train because he arrived late at Paris Gare du Nord station and then launched into a tirade against the three, two of whom were black and the third of Asian origin, France Info radio said.

"France is a shit country, this (Eurostar) is a shit company and what's more the only people who serve us are immigrants," he said, according to the radio station.

Guerlain, for decades the "nose" of the world-famous perfume brand, told a Paris court last month he was not racist and that a comment he made about black people being lazy was a stupid joke.

He was on trial on racism charges after remarks he made in a television interview caused widespread offence. The court is due to deliver its verdict on March 29.

The incident that landed him in court on charges of making "racist insults" came in October 2010 when he was interviewed on television about how he created the Samsara scent.

Guerlain replied using a racial slur -- the French term "negre" -- and implied that black people are lazy.

"For once, I set to work like a negro. I don't know if negroes have always worked like that, but anyway..." he said.

The incident sparked widespread condemnation, with anti-racism groups saying it highlighted deep prejudice in French society.

The heir to one of the world's oldest perfume houses faces up to six months in prison and a 22,500 euro ($30,000) fine if convicted.