Bank of France Governor Jean-Claude Trichet has gone on trial over his alleged role in one of the largest banking scandals in the country's history. Mr Trichet is accused of helping to conceal the full extent of losses run up by the then-state owned bank, Credit Lyonnais, nearly a decade ago, when he was treasury director at the French finance ministry. Eight other executives and officials are standing trial with Mr Trichet, who denies all charges against him. A conviction could jeopardise a plan for Mr Trichet to replace Wim Duisenberg as president of the European Central Bank (ECB).