France has launched a full-scale investigation into suspicions that former President Nicolas Sarkozy received illegal campaign funds ahead of the 2007 election.

A lawyer for Sarkozy said French police on Tuesday raided the house and office of the former French president as part of the investigation.

French authorities are probing allegations that Sarkozy’s aides received illegal election campaign funds from Liliane Bettencourt, the heiress of the cosmetics company L'Oréal Group.

Sarkozy has denied all allegations against him.