The French government is demanding the prosecution of a man photographed wiping his bottom on the national flag

The prize-winning image has caused outrage in France despite being praised by judges officiating a competition organised by the Nice branch of media store FNAC.

Justice Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said 'criminal proceedings should be launched against this unacceptable act'.

She added, "Presumably the law can punish such an intolerable act against the flag? If the existing law is not strong enough, then it should be revised."

Offensive

Eric Ciotti, an MP from French President Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling party, said, 'The image is utterly offensive and should be removed. I want the person who committed this outrage to be punished, and possibly those who published it too."

Ciotti said he has received complaints from French war veterans, as well as other members of the public who said the unnamed photographer should go to prison.

But Nice prosecutor Eric de Mongolfier said the image does not constitute an offence because it was produced in a 'creative spirit'.

The photograph won a special mention in the 'politically incorrect' category.

Insulting the French tricolour flag or the national anthem during a publicly organised event is punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of ufffd7,000.