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Ms Le Pen came second in the first round of the French election on Sunday and will face Emmanuel Macron, a centrist candidate, on May 7 in the second and final round of voting.

The European Parliament believes Ms Le Pen has defrauded it of around 290,000.

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Described as more democratic and republican than her nationalist father, she has led a movement of "de-demonization of the Front National" to detoxify it and soften its image

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Ms Le Pen used the money as salaries for two of her aides, who actually worked for her Front National party

European Anti-Fraud Office

According to the European Anti-Fraud Office, Ms Le Pen used the money as salaries for two of her aides, who actually worked for her Front National party.

The Eurosceptic politicians position as an MEP has meant she has so far been exempt from prosecution, but prosecutors will be able to pursue the offences with the lifted immunity.

The announcement is due to be made in Brussels on Wednesday afternoon.

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The anti-EU presidential candidate could be summoned to parliament as early as next week to be questioned.

However, Ms Le Pen has said any legal processes against her are just a political interference and she has called for the investigations to wait until the election has passed.

EU lawmakers have already sanctioned Ms Le Pen for misspending EU funds and her monthly salary has been slashed by half.

In March, the EU legislature lifted Ms Le Pens immunity after she posted a picture of Islamic State (ISIS) violence on social media.

The fraud allegations have not seemed to have had much impact on Ms Le Pens campaign, unlike Republican Francois Fillon, who lost scores of voters after it was revealed he gave his wife a fake job as a parliamentary assistant.

In February, the Front National headquarters were raided by police as part of the investigation involving the misuse of European Union funds.

Ms Le Pen announced on Monday she will be temporarily stepping down as leader of the Front National to concentrate on the election campaign and broaden her appeal to less extreme voters.

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Marine Le Pen's immunity to be lifted in bid to investigate 290000 misuse of EU funds - Express.co.uk