French far-right MP hit with temporary ban for 'Go back to Africa' shout in parliament

A general view shows the hemicycle as members of parliament attend a debate at the National Assembly in Paris, France, October 19, 2022. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - The French National Assembly on Friday cut the pay of a far-right lawmaker and temporarily banned him from the chamber for shouting "Go back to Africa!" as a Black legislator was speaking during a parliamentary session.

The remark by Gregoire de Fournas, a lawmaker from Marine Le Pen's opposition National Rally (RN), while left-wing MP Carlos Martens Bilongo was asking a question on immigration, triggered an uproar on Thursday, bringing the day's session to a halt.