The order has gone out from on high: no gloating, no snide comments, and absolutely no reference to what Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s arrest in New York on charges of alleged sexual assault means for President Nicolas Sarkozy’s election chances next year.

The French president, at an all-time low in the opinion polls, is determined not to be seen to be exploiting an affair which has shocked France. This time, the man often criticised for his impulsive behaviour and flash tastes wants to be beyond reproach and he has told his troops to keep quiet.

In private, however, there is a certain satisfaction that one of the centre-right Mr Sarkozy’s most formidable potential rivals in next year’s election now appears to be out of the race, whether or not he is eventually proved innocent of charges he strongly denies.