Former French ambassador free amid New Caledonia assault probe

Noumea police station Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel

The former French ambassador to Vanuatu Robby Judes is free again after being briefly detained for questioning over alleged sexual assault in New Caledonia.

Mr Judes was questioned in Noumea by police before meeting two of his accusers as part of the investigation.

No charges have been laid.

A senior New Caledonian businesswoman Cherifa Linossier whose allegations became public in February declined to comment.

The foreign ministry sacked him last month but he rejects the allegations, saying there may a plot against him.

Ms Linossier said seven other women reported to her that they were also harassed by him.