French government in last-ditch appeal to stop comic show The French government refuses to throw in the towel after Dieudonne, the controversial French comic who has been branded an anti-Semitic "pedlar of hate" by the government, wins the first round of a legal battle to be allowed to start a nationwide tour. Interior Minister Manuel Valls launches an appeal to France's highest administrative court, the Council of State, which scheduled an emergency hearing for 5.OO pm (1600 GMT) to review the Nantes decision. IMAGES of Valls before the court decision.