France’s richest man has told a Paris court he was “completely unaware” the former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency was allegedly abusing his powers to protect his brand’s empire.

Bernard Squarcini, 68, worked as a consultant for Bernard Arnault’s LVMH – the world’s largest high-end goods group, with brands including Louis Vuitton and Moët and Chandon. He is now facing charges including compromising national security secrets, misuse of public funds, influence peddling and forgery.

The former head of the French equivalent of MI5 is one of 10 men on trial and charged with using his security contacts for private gain, including obtaining confidential information on behalf of LVMH.

The charges relate both to the period when Mr Squarcini headed the DCRI agency (now DGSI), from 2008-12, and to his subsequent return to the private sector, when he worked as a consultant for LVMH.