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Rabat – Following rumors circulating online, the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development has denied reports linking Minister Leila Benali to the alleged “Paris kiss” involving Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest.
The statement described the rumors as an “offensive publication,” lamenting that the news was circulated without “verification of its credibility by some national pages and media platforms, which included a picture of two people, a man, and a woman.”
The ministry said that Benali confirms to the national public opinion that she denies any connection to either picture as a minister responsible in the government as well as a Moroccan woman and mother.
“Ms. Benali affirms, in her capacity as Minister of the Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, that the attempt to defame that targeted her through the aforementioned publication, is not the first time, as it is a form of revenge and targeting by interest groups on the grounds of its failure to achieve certain gains and objectives.”
The ministry further emphasized that public contracts and requests for proposals in the field of energy investments are subject to the rules and regulations of good governance within the framework of the independence of decisions of the institutions and public establishments concerned.
She also extended her gratitude and appreciation to all those who have shown her support and solidarity as she navigates what she has maintained is a fabricated and baseless story.
Benali’s department is critical to Morocco’s future as it spearheads the development of agreements that aim to leverage Morocco’s energy resources and achieve energy self-sufficiency.
The push, however, may be ruffling feathers among some countries or companies who benefit from former Morocco’s reliance on their services.
Adding to the pressure are privacy concerns for both Benali and the Australian businessman, who refused to comment on the situation previously.
In a recent interview with Morocco World News, Benali confirmed she had been targeted along with her department for over a year now.
Tabloids like Daily Mail initially ran the story last week. The news, however, has since been picked up by local and international media, particularly the Australian and Moroccan press.
In its story, the Daily Mail alleged that the mystery woman sharing a kiss with Andrew Forrest was Moroccan Minister of Energy Leila Benali.
Forrest is the chairman of Fortescue, a company focused on iron ore mining and green technology.
A paparazzi-shot picture captured a man sharing a passionate kiss with a dark-haired woman, dressed in formal attire, whose back is to the camera.
Although the Daily Mail has since deleted its story on the alleged Paris Kiss, other tabloids have consistently ran the story in recent days.
The tabloids speculate that the woman is wearing Forrest’s jacket, which he supposedly offered to keep her warm.
While the paparazzo-shot photo does not officially identify either Forrest or Benali, their names have been splashed across international headlines.
As reported in The Nightly outlet, a spokeswoman for Forrest declined to comment on the photographs, citing privacy reasons. Benali also allegedly refused to comment on the case, as reported in the Australian outlet – which has heavily covered the topic since the Daily Mail publicized the story.
Wide coverage
The situation, widely covered by British, Australian, and Moroccan press, has yet again put Forrest’s relationship details in the spotlight.
Last July, the billionaire announced that he and his wife Nicola had separated and had decided to “live apart.” This news was described in tabloids as “shocking,” as the couple had been married for 31 years.
A new relationship for Forrest was described as unethical in the international media that picked up the story, including The Nightly, which described the businessman as “recently single.”
Forrest and Benali are also facing “conflict of interest” accusations as Fortescue announced a mega joint venture with Morocco’s fertilizer giant OCP last year. This venture would see the Australian and Moroccan companies cooperate to supply green hydrogen, ammonia, and fertilizers locally and in Europe.
Benali’s office vehemently refuted such claims, emphasizing that this is not an isolated defamation attempt. The press release emphasized that such accusations are a targeted attempt to undermine Benali’s efforts, potentially by groups frustrated with her upholding standards and refusing concessions that would compromise her goals.
Moroccan press reports on the case
Moroccan news outlet Le360, which is known to have reliable sources within the Moroccan government, has recently zoomed in on the case.
Sources close to Benali told Le360 that the minister is now preparing a defamation lawsuit citing a personal attack and privacy violation.
When asked about the case on ChoufTV and Goud, Benali again declined to comment on the authenticity of the photograph. However, she did briefly note that “she has been a target” in the tabloids for over a year.
The case, referred to as an “affair” by tabloids, has sparked “conflict of interest” debates among netizens, journalists, activists, and media.
Notably, Le360 said on Tuesday that “while there is certainly interest, there is absolutely no conflict.”
The news outlet recalled the importance of the deal between OCP and Fortescue contributing to Morocco’s green energy as well as an industrial powerhouse.
Le360 also quoted a report by the website Africa Intelligence as stressing that this partnership could “significantly boost the still modest economic relations between Morocco and Australia in high-tech sectors.”
Challenge, another Moroccan news outlet, said today that nothing proves that the woman in question is indeed Benali.
“Even if the story is true, it pertains to private life,” the news outlet added.
According to Challenge, the question on the potential of conflict of interest could be legitimate.
“It is important to note however that such accusations remain speculative and unproven at this stage,” the news outlet added.
Right to privacy
The prevailing mood appears to be that the British Tabloids targeting the Moroccan minister have so failed to provide convincing elements or details to corroborate what Benali’s supporters maintain is a clickbait story to tarnish the minister.
There are even those who have suggested that fabricated or not, the story of what a minister does in private in his or her off hours should not be the concern of media reports.
This camp, while not especially audible in the ongoing social media noise surrounding the case, insists that the minister should be judged on her performances and results, rather than what she does in her private life.
As the debate still rages on, however, it remains to be seen whether the minister’s filing of a defamation suit will prompt other tabloids to follow in the Daily Mail’s footsteps by deleting the story, thus implicitly disavowing its content.
