David Matthews responds publicly after being charged with the rape of a minor

On Friday, it emerged that the father-in-law of Pippa Middleton had been charged with the rape of a minor in France.

David Matthews, a 74-year-old multi-millionaire, was in custody in Paris for 48 hours but has now been released on bail. It is thought that he remains in the French capital and is restricted from travelling. On Saturday, Mr Matthews issued a comment on the matter, stating via a spokesperson:

"David Matthews categorically denies the allegation and unequivocally contests the untrue and scandalous accusation."

He is alleged to have carried out the attacks on a teenage girl between 1998 and 1999. One of the attacks is alleged to have taken place in Paris, while another is alleged to have occured on the Caribbean island of St Barts - where he resides.

Police became aware of the allegations in 2017, reports the Paris-based L'Express citing 'judicial sources'.

Mr Matthews - also the future father-in-law of Vogue Williams - denies the charges.

He has been married to Jane, 70, since the 1970s and they have been the owners of the prestigious five-star Eden Rock Caribbean hotel in St Barths for more than 20 years. Eden Rock is one of the most luxurious hotels in the region with luxury suites costing up to €30,000 a night (although standard rooms are around the €1,000-mark). It has been visited by the likes of Elton John, Brad Pitt, Beyonce, and Leonardo DiCaprio.