Photographer at centre of Nobel Prize row charged with rape

Jean-Claude Arnault, the French photographer at the centre of the sexual assault allegations which have led to the postponement of this year’s Nobel Prize in Literature, has been charged with rape.

Arnault faces two charges of rape dating back to 2011, according to reports.

The photographer is married to the poet Katarina Frostenson, who was a member of the Swedish Academy which awards the Nobel Prize in Literature. Allegations of sexual harassment and assault surfaced late last year, denied by Arnault, and led to a number of resignations from the Academy, including that of Frostenson and permanent secretary Sara Danius.

Last month the Academy announced that this year’s award would not be made, while it focused instead on "recovering public confidence" in the organisation.