This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23310930

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Spain Barcenas scandal: Rajoy under pressure over texts Spain Barcenas scandal: Rajoy under pressure over texts
(about 7 hours later)
Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is facing renewed calls to resign after a newspaper published text messages allegedly linking him to the man at the centre of a secret payments scandal.Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is facing renewed calls to resign after a newspaper published text messages allegedly linking him to the man at the centre of a secret payments scandal.
The El Mundo report said Mr Rajoy sent words of support to Luis Barcenas, former treasurer of the governing Popular Party (PP).The El Mundo report said Mr Rajoy sent words of support to Luis Barcenas, former treasurer of the governing Popular Party (PP).
Mr Barcenas is in custody facing trial for corruption and tax fraud. He denies the allegations.Mr Barcenas is in custody facing trial for corruption and tax fraud. He denies the allegations.
Mr Rajoy, too, denies any wrongdoing.Mr Rajoy, too, denies any wrongdoing.
It is the latest episode in a scandal that has enraged a country in the depths of recession and record unemployment. The PP's former treasurer was due to appear before a judge on Monday, a week after he admitted for the first time that handwriting in a ledger detailing payments belonged to him.
Previous reports in El Mundo have alleged that Mr Rajoy and other top politicians received illicit payments. The paper said it had original ledger entries written by the former PP treasurer. A series of newspaper allegations that Mr Rajoy and other top politicians received illicit payments has enraged a country in the depths of recession and record unemployment.
It is claimed that Mr Barcenas ran a PP slush fund that took donations from construction magnates and distributed them to party leaders in cash.It is claimed that Mr Barcenas ran a PP slush fund that took donations from construction magnates and distributed them to party leaders in cash.
El Mundo newspaper said last week it had delivered documents with Mr Barcenas's original ledger entries to the High Court.
Another Spanish paper, El Pais, published similar documents earlier this year.Another Spanish paper, El Pais, published similar documents earlier this year.
'A hug''A hug'
The leader of the country's main opposition Socialist Party, Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, called for Mr Rajoy's immediate resignation on Sunday "given the unsustainable political situation in Spain".The leader of the country's main opposition Socialist Party, Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, called for Mr Rajoy's immediate resignation on Sunday "given the unsustainable political situation in Spain".
"Mr Rajoy's conduct in this situation can be summarised quite simply: silence, lies, and after what we have learned today, collusion, extremely serious collusion," Mr Rubalcaba said."Mr Rajoy's conduct in this situation can be summarised quite simply: silence, lies, and after what we have learned today, collusion, extremely serious collusion," Mr Rubalcaba said.
El Mundo's most recent report includes a text message Mr Rajoy apparently sent to Mr Barcenas in January this year - when the slush fund allegations broke. El Mundo's most recent report includes a text message Mr Rajoy apparently sent to Mr Barcenas in January this year - when the slush fund allegations broke.
He said: "Luis, I understand. Stay strong. I'll call you tomorrow. A hug."He said: "Luis, I understand. Stay strong. I'll call you tomorrow. A hug."
The paper said the conversations showed Mr Rajoy maintained "direct and permanent contact" from at least May 2011 to March 2013.The paper said the conversations showed Mr Rajoy maintained "direct and permanent contact" from at least May 2011 to March 2013.
Mr Barcenas is being investigated over allegations he stashed up to 48m euros (£41m) in secret Swiss bank accounts. Prosecutors allege that some of the funds stem from illegal party donations or kickbacks.Mr Barcenas is being investigated over allegations he stashed up to 48m euros (£41m) in secret Swiss bank accounts. Prosecutors allege that some of the funds stem from illegal party donations or kickbacks.
He and his wife are also suspected of falsifying documents on their tax statements between 2002 and 2006.He and his wife are also suspected of falsifying documents on their tax statements between 2002 and 2006.
The couple deny the charges.The couple deny the charges.
In June, a judge ordered Mr Barcenas to be held in jail until his trial starts after prosecutors argued that he was a flight risk.In June, a judge ordered Mr Barcenas to be held in jail until his trial starts after prosecutors argued that he was a flight risk.