In January 2006, Vanneste became the first French citizen to be fined €3,000 (in the first instance, but later relaxed) for his homophobic remarks. During a debate in the
National Assembly of France, and afterwards in the media, he declared homosexual behavior a threat to the survival of humanity, and "morally inferior" to heterosexuality. The judgement, after a refused appeal, was eventually cancelled by the
Cour de cassation on 12 November 2008. In 2012, Vanneste again encountered controversy after referring to the deportation from France of
homosexuals in the Holocaust as a "famous legend", though he acknowledges that they were persecuted in other parts of the Reich. Vanneste may or may not face
Holocaust denial charges for the comment. He nevertheless received the support of
Serge Klarsfeld the famous French "nazi-hunter".
Dominique de Villepin, the former French Prime Minister also admitted that "on historical grounds", his comments were true. He belongs to the
Club de l'horloge (today
Carrefour de l'horloge). ==References==