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Briton becomes Costa Blanca mayor Briton denies Spanish mayor role
(about 5 hours later)
A British expat who speaks only broken Spanish has become the "accidental mayor" of a town on the Costa Blanca after a series of "bribery" arrests. A British man named in media reports as the "accidental mayor" of a town on the Costa Blanca, has denied that he has taken up the position.
Mark Lewis took up the reins in San Fulgencio after the mayor, the deputy and four top councillors were arrested over alleged real estate corruption. Mark Lewis was said to have taken over the reins in San Fulgencio after the mayor, the deputy and four councillors were arrested over alleged corruption.
The 58-year-old was one of only two councillors from the ruling coalition not to be detained. The 58-year-old was elected to the council last year after campaigning on an anti-corruption ticket.
Mr Lewis said he hoped his new position would be temporary. But he told the BBC he was never invited to become mayor.
"I'm sure this will all be sorted out very quickly and everything will return to normal," he was quoted by the Daily Telegraph newspaper as saying. Mr Lewis confirmed that the current mayor, Trinidad Martinez, was among those arrested earlier this week on corruption allegations.
Corruption clampdown However, he said that Ms Martinez had since been released and continued to perform her duties as mayor, while a police investigation was ongoing.
Corruption investigation
The scandal erupted last week when several Spanish media outlets broadcast a video of the deputy mayor allegedly accepting a 5,000 euro (£3,900) bribe from property developers.The scandal erupted last week when several Spanish media outlets broadcast a video of the deputy mayor allegedly accepting a 5,000 euro (£3,900) bribe from property developers.
"It is better in large denomination bills. They occupy less space," Manuel Barrera Garcia was allegedly caught on camera saying."It is better in large denomination bills. They occupy less space," Manuel Barrera Garcia was allegedly caught on camera saying.
Mr Garcia, who was arrested on 20 October and released on bail, denies any wrongdoing and says it was a politically motivated set-up.Mr Garcia, who was arrested on 20 October and released on bail, denies any wrongdoing and says it was a politically motivated set-up.
Police raided the town hall and seized documents. The town's mayor and several councillors have since been detained as the corruption investigation has widened. The mayor and several councillors were also later detained as the corruption investigation has widened.
Mr Lewis, who moved to Spain some 25 years ago, was appointed last year as Councillor for Animals - a position in which he was responsible for organising searches for lost pets.Mr Lewis, who moved to Spain some 25 years ago, was appointed last year as Councillor for Animals - a position in which he was responsible for organising searches for lost pets.
He was elected to the council last year after campaigning on an anti-corruption ticket with the independent AIM party. He was elected to the council last year with the independent AIM party.
San Fulgencio is 25 miles from Alicante in the south-east of the country, and has a population of 11,000, the vast majority of which are British. Media outlets including the BBC reported that he had become mayor as a temporary measure while the corruption inquiry ran its course.
San Fulgencio is 25 miles from Alicante in the south-east of the country, and has a population of 11,000, the vast majority of whom are British.