Spanish PM says knew ‘nothing’ about corruption case

MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday said that he knew “absolutely nothing” about the corruption case that prompted a top official in his Socialist Party to resign, and rejected calls for his resignation over the affair.

The case adds to mounting legal and political pressure on Sanchez, one of Europe´s longest serving socialist leaders whose inner circle faces several ongoing investigations. Santos Cerdan, the party´s organisation secretary and its third-highest ranked figure, is suspected of being an accomplice in the alleged improper awarding of public contracts, according to a newly published judicial report.

Cerdan, a member of parliament, stepped down from all his positions “to defend” the government and the party, adding in a statement that he “never committed any illegal act”. Shortly afterwards, Sanchez told a news conference he knew “absolutely nothing” about the corruption accusations against his longtime associate, having learned about them in the press earlier on Thursday. “We never should have trusted him,” the premier said, adding that he had demanded that Cerdan step down.