French far right leader Marine Le Pen faces loss of European Parliament immunity

PARIS – France's far right leader, Marine Le Pen, faces the loss of her European Parliament immunity over comments she made at a 2010 rally comparing Muslim street prayers to an occupation of French territory.

Jaume Duch Guillot, spokesman for the European Parliament, confirmed the vote by the EU committee and said Saturday a final vote was scheduled for June 11.

If she loses her immunity, the leader of the far right National Front party could face charges of racism in France, where a prosecutor opened an investigation into the comments. Le Pen's anti-immigration party made a strong third-place showing in last year's elections, propelled in part by voters concerned about France's growing Muslim minority.

The National Front spokesman didn't immediately return a request for comment.