Pippa Middletons Gun Scandal

Pippa Middleton's friend investigated by French police after 'brandishing pistol while she is in his car'

• Pictures of Miss Middleton laughing while friend points gun were taken in the centre of Paris over the weekend
• 27-year-old sister of Duchess of Cambridge could be summoned to give evidence if there is enough evidence for a prosecution
• Those involved in the incident face up to seven years in prison if the gun is real

ddleton sitting next to a friend as he brandishes a handgun from a car are being investigated by detectives in Paris today.

The pictures were captured as Prince William’s 27-year-old sister-in-law travelled in an Audi convertible in the centre of the French capital. 

The driver of the car can clearly be seen pointing what looks like a semi-automatic pistol at a photographer. 

The incident will cause concern within the Royal Family, particularly if legal proceedings follow.

If the gun turns out to be real, all those involved in the incident face up to seven years in prison.

Even if the weapon is a fake, they could be sentenced to two years.

France is currently on heightened security alert after Islamic terrorist Mohammed Merah used a handgun to murder seven people in the south west of the country last month.

Two men were also arrested in the Paris area at the weekend in connection with four murders carried out with a pistol in the nearby Essonne department over the past five months. 

Miss Middleton, the sister to 30-year-old Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was being driven to the Gare du Nord station to board a Eurostar high speed train to London on Saturday.

The night before, she had attended a lavish fancy dress party to celebrate the 29th birthday of Arthur de Soultrait, a Paris fashion entrepreneur.

Mr Soultrait can be seen sitting in the back of the Audi wearing a blue baseball cap.

At least one person who witnessed the waiving of the gun has made a formal complaint to Paris police, providing pictures of what happened.

These have been handed over to judicial police who are likely to involve an examining magistrate. 

 

If they consider that there is enough evidence for a prosecution, then Miss Middleton and Mr Soultrait will be among those summoned to give evidence. 

A judicial source said: ‘If the evidence points to (Pippa Middleton’s) involvement, she will be prosecuted. Anybody involved in the illegal use of a handgun in public is liable to arrest and interrogation.'

A police source said that it was ‘absolutely forbidden’ for anyone to use a gun to ‘warn people off’ in France.

He added: ‘If someone has a licence then for a weapon then it must be kept covered at all times, and away from members of the public.’

Many of the illegal guns in France are bought on the black market from Eastern European criminals who drive to France from countries like Russia. 

‘People have been able to pick up pistols for as little as 200 euros (£180),’ said the source. 

‘Everything is now being done to control this trade.’

Security was stepped up in Paris at the weekend because of the French presidential elections. 

Nicolas Sarkozy was speaking at an open air rally in the centre of the city on Sunday, while his Socialist rival Francois Hollande was at another open-air meeting just two miles away.