France, April 2 -- The controversial plan to merge French public broadcasting companies faced a new setback Tuesday when its parliamentary committee review was suspended following an incident involving Culture Minister Rachida Dati.

Left-wing deputies alleged a "serious" incident between Dati and a civil servant during a break in proceedings took place. The minister's office acknowledged a "heated exchange" but denied any insults, claiming the suspension was politically motivated because the left wasn't securing desired votes.

The suspension came after the government submitted last-minute amendments, which the left criticised but the minister's team defended as a response to "massive obstruction".

The reform bill, already approved in f...