French investigators are probing allegations of embezzlement involving high-profile presidential candidate Édouard Philippe over the allocation of a digital hub contract in the northern port city of Le Havre where he is mayor, prosecutors have said. The 55-year-old centrist, an ex-prime minister seen as one of the strongest contenders in next year’s election to replace President Emmanuel Macron, denies the accusations. Polls suggest that Philippe, a centrist with his Horizons party, could successfully take on the far right and win the vote. Read moreFrench far right wins towns, loses in cities as mayoral vote kicks off race to succeed Macron His team said that he took note of the probe and would “answer the questions put to him by the judiciary as he has always done in a very serene manner”. Contacted by AFP, his lawyer did not wish to comment. A former senior official with the local authority has accused Philippe of possible misconduct over the awarding in 2020 of the management of a digital hub in Le Havre to an association presided by …