Francois Hollande 'Village Idiot' Snap Sparks Censorship Row in France

The photograph of French President Francois Hollande was later 'spiked' after critics said it made the head of state look 'simple-minded'

Francois Hollande has become embroiled in a humiliating debate after a French press agency withdrew an unflattering photograph it had released of the national president, as he attempted to secure support for strikes against Syria.

The photograph, taken at a school in Denain, northern France, made the president resemble a village idiot or clown, with an expression of "stupefaction" in his eyes, according to news magazine Le Point.

Online news outlet Rue 89 said the photograph, published by Agence-France Presse, made Hollande look simple-minded.

The picture was taken by AFP staff photographer Denis Charlet, and was wired to the agency's subscribers around the world, including most major newspapers and TV networks.

It was one of a series of images showing Hollande sitting at a teacher's desk during a visit to the school to mark the beginning of the academic year.

The other photos were said to depict more gravitas.

But hours later AFP sent out a message saying it had decided to withdraw the photograph due to an "editorial issue". A red cross was superimposed over the picture, which was marked: "Mandatory Kill".

Withdrawn on president's instruction?

Critics accused the agency of self-censorship, saying AFP may have wished to avoid losing Hollande's goodwill, particularly as it depends largely on the French state to stay in business.

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Francois Hollande 'Village Idiot' Snap Sparks Censorship Row in France