Sarkozy renews attack on SocGén boss Bouton

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a newspaper interview that it was "not normal" for the head of French bank Sociéte Générale to shirk his responsibility for SocGén's trading scandal.

"I just don't understand the Sociéte Générale situation. When the chairman of a company experiences a disaster of this magnitude and he does not assume the consequences of this, that is not normal," Mr Sarkozy was quoted as saying in an interview with Le Parisien.

"For someone to make €7 million a year does not shock me. But on one condition - that he assumes his responsibilities. That's what the problem is with Daniel Bouton," added Mr Sarkozy.

Mr Sarkozy's criticism comes after SocGén chairman and chief executive officer Daniel Bouton said in an interview published in Monday's Les Echos newspaper that an earlier offer he had made to resign was "no longer on the table."