French Justice Minister Has Baby Girl

French Justice Minister Rachida Dati has given birth to a girl on Friday. She has not named the father, sparking rumours in the local press.

French Justice Minister Rachida Dati, a former favourite of President Nicolas Sarkozy who has recently fallen from grace, has given birth to a girl, French media said on Friday.

France 3 Television, Le Figaro, Voici and Purepeople websites said the baby, Dati's first, was born in a clinic in Paris. Her office was not immediately able to confirm the news.

Dati, a 43-year-old divorcee, has not named the father of the baby, sparking much speculation in the local press.

"My private life is complicated and I'm keeping it off-limits to the press. I won't say anything about it," she told reporters last year when asked about the father.

Dati comes from a modest North African immigrant background and was hailed as symbol of Sarkozy's openness to women and ethnic minorities.

But she has antagonised many in the legal profession who say her style is too abrasive and her policies not well thought out.

Critics also say her regular appearances in glossy magazines give the impression she is more interested in being a celebrity than doing her job.

The French press has speculated that Dati will be given a new role in a possible cabinet reshuffle.

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