Key facts
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez denied knowledge of an alleged plot to derail corruption investigations into his Socialist Party.
- The probe involves former party officials, lawyers, a businessman, and a police officer.
- Suspects are accused of attempting to influence administrative decisions and undermine judicial proceedings.
- Sanchez stated his government and party are 'clean' and that corruption involves only a few people.
- The Prime Minister made the remarks upon arrival at a European Union summit in Montenegro.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has denied any knowledge of an alleged plot to derail investigations into corruption cases affecting his Socialist Party. He expressed disappointment and outrage over the matter, stating that he never endorsed such actions and would not have tolerated them. The probe, initiated by a High Court judge, involves the surrender of documents and electronic files from party headquarters. Several individuals, including former Sanchez ally Santos Cerdan (the Socialists' former organization secretary), other party officials, a businessman, and a police officer, are suspected of attempting to influence administrative decisions and undermine judicial proceedings or police actions that could affect the party or government's interests. Cerdan has denied any wrongdoing. Sanchez, who came to power promising to clean up politics, is facing criticism due to the ongoing graft cases. He asserted that his government is 'clean' and that the corruption allegations involve only a few individuals, not the entire party. He made these statements to reporters while arriving at a European Union summit in Montenegro.