Bruni uncovered a plot by ex-Minister Dati to oust her: Book

According to the book, 'Carla and the Ambitious', the French police gave Bruni a file containing phone records showing Dati and President Sarkozy's ex-sister-in-law Sophie Douzal conspired to have her removed as she threatened his re -election chances, the 'Daily Mail' reported.

"The two plotters hatched a plan more fitting of backroom scheming than of modern political jousting. Rachida Dati and Miss Douzal believed Carla Bruni Bruni was a weak link in the presidency. Their plan was to have her removed and replaced with Mr Sarkozy's former wife Cecilia Attias.

"The suspicions of the First Lady of a plot were then confirmed when she received a report listing phone calls and text messages sent from Miss Dati's mobile phone," write the authors Michael Darmon and Yves Derai, both journalists. Bruni then personally phoned Cecilia in New York, where she lives with her new husband Richard Attias, to tell her what she had learned.

She is said to have told Attias: "I have to inform you that two people with whom you are in contact are behaving in an unacceptable way with regard to us. These people are your ex sister in law Sophie and Rachida Dati.

"This is not gossip or my suspicions. I have a police file which you can see. I realise you have nothing to do with these women but I urge you to keep your distance from them." Bruni and Dati fell out almost three years ago when the justice minister's presence at the Elysee Palace is said to have made the First Lady jealous.