A group of women have spoken out after they were allegedly drugged to urinate at job interviews with a French government official. Civil servant Christian Nègre is accused of drugging 248 women between 2009 and 2018.

The women allege he spiked their drinks with diuretics, then took them for walks where they would be humiliated as they lost control of their bladders. Police in France allege he would enter details of what he observed in a spreadsheet named “experiments”. The culture ministry official allegedly recorded the colour of the women’s underwear and the force of their urine flow.

Mr Nègre, who was reportedly nicknamed “the photographer” at the ministry, was taking secret photos of the women, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The same publication reports how he was caught by a colleague who spotted him photographing a female official while at work in 2018.

One woman, who alleges she was drugged by Mr Nègre, said it was doubly shocking as she initially blamed herself and then discovered she had been “poisoned”.

Another recalled relieving herself near the River Seine in Paris after drinking tea, then going for a walk in nearby gardens.

Years after the alleged encounter, police officers are reported to have shown her pictures of her shoes beside a puddle.

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An investigation into the allegations was launched in 2019, but a trial date has not been set.

The victims have reportedly been given a month to submit fresh testimonies or the probe will close.

Public interest in the case was revived last year after the trial of Gisèle Pelicot when her former husband, Dominique Pelicot, was convicted along with 49 other men of drugging and raping her.

If something sexual happened to you without your consent, or you are not sure, you can talk to Rape Crisis England & Wales. It does not matter when it happened.

Rape Crisis’s 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call 0808 500 2222 or visit the charity’s website to start a free online chat.