French far-right figurehead and Holocaust denier Jean-Marie Le Pen dies at 96

File - French founder of the far-right National Front party Jean-Marie Le Pen poses during a photo session at his home in Saint-Cloud, France, January 14, 2021. (Joel Saget/AFP)
File - French founder of the far-right National Front party Jean-Marie Le Pen poses during a photo session at his home in Saint-Cloud, France, January 14, 2021. (Joel Saget/AFP)

Jean-Marie Le Pen, the historic leader of France’s far right, has died aged 96, his family tells AFP.

Le Pen, who had been in a care facility for several weeks, died at midday today “surrounded by his loved ones,” the family says in a statement.

An ultranationalist provocateur with several convictions for Holocaust denial and a penchant for racist and antisemitic remarks, his leadership of the National Rally party had kept it on the sidelines of French politics.

The current party leader, his daughter Marine Le Pen, has attempted to rehabilitate the party’s public image and has led it to become a major political force.

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