Legal investigations into presidential contenders Francois Fillon and Marine Le Pen will continue with "no let-up" ahead of April's election, according to France's justice minister.

Jean-Jacques Urvoas told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper: "Imagine that during the presidential campaign you can't investigate?"

"There is no law allowing a suspension like that. What would be the reason? In the name of what exception? In my opinion, nothing could justify it."

Both Mr Fillon and Ms Le Pen are accused of misusing public money.

Image: Mr Fillon has seen his campaign flounder over a 'fake jobs' scandal

:: French election: Who is Francois Fillon?


On Friday French prosecutors launched a full judicial inquiry into claims that Mr Fillon paid his British-born wife Penelope and their children public money for work that they did not do.

The Republican candidate - a former prime minister who was once the clear favourite - has always denied the claims.

Deepening 'fake jobs' scandal threatens Fillon

:: French election: Who is Marine Le Pen?

On Wednesday one of Ms Le Pen's aides was charged in connection with a probe into alleged misuse of European Union funds.

The leader of the far-right Front National has described the investigations against her team as a "vendetta".

What does far-right leader Le Pen want to do in France?

The timing of the probe has raised concerns about the independence and neutrality of the justice system in the run-up to the election.

Mr Urvoas, a member of the Socialist party, has been justice minister since January 2016.,

Image: Benoit Hamon is one of France's best known left-wing figures

His party's candidate, Benoit Hamon, is not expected to get through the first round of the election.

:: What you need to know about the French elections - and why you need to know it

A poll released on Sunday suggested that Ms Le Pen would win the first round, with independent candidate Emmanuel Macron in second, narrowly ahead of Mr Fillon.

Image: Emmanuel Macron visited Downing Street last week

The top two candidates in the first round on 23 April go through to a second round run-off on 7 May.

Polls have consistently indicated that both Mr Macron and Mr Fillon would convincingly defeat Ms Le Pen in round two.