Asked in an interview last November before becoming minister if she thought Bush might be behind the attacks, Boutin says: "I think it is possible. I think it is possible."

She cites the number of people who visit websites challenging the official line over the 9/11 attacks. "I know that the websites that speak of this problem are websites that have the highest number of visits. . . And I tell myself that this expression of the masses and of the people cannot be without any truth."

Boutin's office played down the remarks, saying that in the same interview she says: "I'm not telling you that I adhere to that position." This does not appear on the Reopen911 clip. Liberation newspaper quoted Boutin's spokesman as saying she had not wanted to appear pro- or anti-Bush at a time when Sarkozy was being branded a "US poodle" after meeting Bush in Washington.