Spanish PM testifies in graft trial

San Fernando De Henares, July 26

Mariano Rajoy on Wednesday denied any knowledge of an illegal financing scheme within his conservative People’s Party (PP) as he became the first sitting prime minister in Spain to give evidence in a trial.

Rajoy’s appearance at the corruption trial as a witness turns the spotlight back on the long-running graft scandals that have tainted his party at a delicate time, as he no longer enjoys a majority in parliament. He is not accused of wrongdoing.

Allegations of a PP slush fund have plagued the party for years and have resurfaced as part of the sprawling trial, which was originally centred on illegal dealings between small city councils and a network of businesses.

Asked if he knew whether the PP operated an illegal financing scheme for election campaigns and had received cash donations from anonymous donors, Rajoy told the court: “Never”. The prime minister also denied ever taking illicit payments, saying any allegations to that effect were “absolutely false”.

“I never heard anything because, as I have stated, I was never in charge of financial matters within the party,” a combative Rajoy said.

He was testifying sat at an elevated table at the front of the court, as opposed to where witnesses usually sit, facing the magistrates, prompting a complaint from one of the lawyers present over what 

he called an “unnecessary privilege”. — Reuters