The original photo had appeared in the same pro-government newspaper Le Figaro in June, showing Ms Dati wearing a spectacular ring on her left hand.

The magazine L'Express reported that Le Figaro, an enthusiastic supporter of President Nicolas Sarkozy and his Cabinet, had removed the ¥15,600 (S$30,000) ring from an image of Ms Dati published on Wednesday.

This made it look like Le Figaro was protecting Ms Dati, a controversial figure who has been criticised in the past for cultivating celebrity status by appearing in glossy magazines wearing expensive designer dresses.

Mr Sarkozy's close ties to several media barons and his constant presence on the front pages have fuelled accusations that large sections of the press are too subservient to him and his allies.

Mr Sarkozy himself created a controversy in August last year, when the magazine Paris Match removed a bulge around his waist so he would look slimmer.

L'Express published what it said was the original photo of Ms Dati, in which the diamond ring was clearly visible.

The head of Le Figaro's photo department, Ms Debora Altman, defended the editorial decision, according to L'Express, which quoted her as saying that the newspaper did not want to distract readers from the content of its interview with Ms Dati.

Ms Dati, a minister with a North African immigrant background, attracts as much media attention for her personal life as for her policies. Interest has increased since she confirmed in September she was pregnant but did not name the baby's father.

REUTERS