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Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy faces MPs on corruption scandal Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy faces MPs on corruption scandal
(35 minutes later)
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is appearing before MPs over a corruption scandal threatening his governing Popular Party (PP). Embattled Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has told MPs that corruption claims against him are "lies and manipulations" that are damaging Spain's image.
In opening remarks, he said he had been reluctant to answer claims he said were not credible, but that they had "begun to damage the image of Spain". He is addressing claims relating to illegal payments from a slush fund run by the former treasurer of his Popular Party, Luis Barcenas.
The claims relate to illegal payments from a slush fund run by the PP's former treasurer, Luis Barcenas. MPs will shortly be able to question him on allegations he and other PP members received illegal payments.
Mr Rajoy and other PP members deny claims they received illegal payments. Some have called for his resignation.
Widespread anger over the allegations has led to anti-government protests and calls for Mr Rajoy's resignation. Widespread public anger over the allegations has led to anti-government protests. They have touched a sensitive nerve in Spain, hit by a double-dip recession and high unemployment.
The allegations have touched a particularly sensitive nerve in Spain, hit by a double-dip recession and high unemployment.
Clashes erupted between anti-government protesters and police in mid-July after more than 1,000 people gathered outside the PP headquarters calling on the government to quit.Clashes erupted between anti-government protesters and police in mid-July after more than 1,000 people gathered outside the PP headquarters calling on the government to quit.
'Lies and manipulations''Lies and manipulations'
Mr Rajoy is appearing before MPs after threats of a no-confidence vote.Mr Rajoy is appearing before MPs after threats of a no-confidence vote.
He was allowed to address parliament first, and said he was appearing to rebuff the "lies, manipulations and malicious insinuations encouraged by certain political leaders" over the scandal.He was allowed to address parliament first, and said he was appearing to rebuff the "lies, manipulations and malicious insinuations encouraged by certain political leaders" over the scandal.
He stressed the delicate state of the Spanish economic recovery and expressed concern that a continued focus on the scandal was damaging Spain's image. He suggested that the Spanish economy was beginning to recover from years of crisis, and expressed concern that a continued focus on the scandal was damaging Spain's image.
But he admitted a mistake in having "put trust in someone who we now know did not deserve it" - Mr Barcenas. But he admitted making a mistake by putting trust "in someone who we now know did not deserve it". Mr Barcenas is in custody while being investigated over other corruption allegations.
After Mr Rajoy's address, each parliamentary group will have 10 minutes to ask questions and set out its own position, with individual deputies also allowed to put a limited number of questions.After Mr Rajoy's address, each parliamentary group will have 10 minutes to ask questions and set out its own position, with individual deputies also allowed to put a limited number of questions.
On Wednesday, the deputy leader of the opposition Socialists, Elena Valenciano, said her party's aim was "two-fold - that the prime minister tell the truth and that he quit his post.On Wednesday, the deputy leader of the opposition Socialists, Elena Valenciano, said her party's aim was "two-fold - that the prime minister tell the truth and that he quit his post.
"If we don't get that [on Thursday], we will keep insisting and fighting for it.""If we don't get that [on Thursday], we will keep insisting and fighting for it."
The scandal originated in a 2009 judicial investigation into corrupt payments involving members of the Popular Party.The scandal originated in a 2009 judicial investigation into corrupt payments involving members of the Popular Party.
In January this year, El Pais newspaper published an alleged list of illegal payments within the party.In January this year, El Pais newspaper published an alleged list of illegal payments within the party.
Text messages
The list was signed off by Mr Barcenas, who is currently in custody on corruption and tax fraud charges, with his role in the scandal still being investigated.The list was signed off by Mr Barcenas, who is currently in custody on corruption and tax fraud charges, with his role in the scandal still being investigated.
He originally denied allegations that he wrote documents but later admitted they were in his handwriting.He originally denied allegations that he wrote documents but later admitted they were in his handwriting.
The former party treasurer now says he made numerous bonus payments - in cash - to Mr Rajoy and other senior party members, out of the party slush fund of donations by businesses.The former party treasurer now says he made numerous bonus payments - in cash - to Mr Rajoy and other senior party members, out of the party slush fund of donations by businesses.
Mr Rajoy and other PP members have repeatedly denied that they received illegal payments and have accused Mr Barcenas of trying to blackmail them.Mr Rajoy and other PP members have repeatedly denied that they received illegal payments and have accused Mr Barcenas of trying to blackmail them.
The PP's deputy leader, Maria Dolores de Cospedal, has been summoned to appear before investigating Judge Pablo Ruz on 14 August.The PP's deputy leader, Maria Dolores de Cospedal, has been summoned to appear before investigating Judge Pablo Ruz on 14 August.
Calls for Mr Rajoy to resign intensified after private text messages published by El Mundo newspaper suggested that he had friendly ties to Mr Barcenas from May 2011 to March 2013.Calls for Mr Rajoy to resign intensified after private text messages published by El Mundo newspaper suggested that he had friendly ties to Mr Barcenas from May 2011 to March 2013.
Mr Rajoy admitted sending messages of support to Mr Barcenas.Mr Rajoy admitted sending messages of support to Mr Barcenas.
However, throughout the scandal, Mr Rajoy has at no point given any indication he would resign, the BBC's Tom Burridge says.However, throughout the scandal, Mr Rajoy has at no point given any indication he would resign, the BBC's Tom Burridge says.
The Popular Party was handed a clear mandate by Spanish voters at the end of 2011 and as a result Mr Rajoy and his party enjoy a clear majority in parliament.The Popular Party was handed a clear mandate by Spanish voters at the end of 2011 and as a result Mr Rajoy and his party enjoy a clear majority in parliament.
The corruption allegations coincide with Spain's worst economic crisis for decades, and have threatened to destabilise government attempts to shore up the public finances and bring the recession to an end.The corruption allegations coincide with Spain's worst economic crisis for decades, and have threatened to destabilise government attempts to shore up the public finances and bring the recession to an end.