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Briton denies Spanish mayor role | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
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 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 elected to the council last year after campaigning on an anti-corruption ticket. | |
But he told the BBC he was never invited to become mayor. | |
Mr Lewis confirmed that the current mayor, Trinidad Martinez, was among those arrested earlier this week on corruption allegations. | |
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. |
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 with the independent AIM party. | |
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. |
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