Ms Lagarde was involved in a dispute between French businessman Bernard Tapie and the bank Credit Lyonnais in 2007.

BBC: IMF 'has confidence' in Christine Lagarde

So did Bernard Tapie, a crooner turned soccer club owner and Socialist minister.

ECONOMIST: France��s secret loves

The probe relates to her time as French finance minister and her involvement in the payment of compensation to businessman Bernard Tapie.

BBC: IMF 'has confidence' in Christine Lagarde

Ms Lagarde is to be questioned before a magistrate in May over her role in the awarding of financial compensation to businessman Bernard Tapie in 2008.

BBC: French court summons IMF chief over Bernard Tapie probe