01:18Spain: Rajoy defends himself against accusations in parliament
Spain: Rajoy defends himself against accusations in parliament
The Spanish President Mariano Rajoy was in Madrid to defend himself in parliament on Thursday from the accusations of corruption made by the former treasurer of the Popular Party, Luis Barcenas.
Rajoy recognised he made a mistake: "I regret it, but it is the way it is. I made a mistake. I was wrong when I kept my trust on someone [Luis Barcenas], who did not deserve it, as we know now."
Rajoy denied all accusations of illegal financing of the party but did recognise that some members received extra pay: "In the Popular Party, there was not a second accounting and we have not hidden any misdemeanour. Did we pay salaries? Yes. Did we pay complimentary remunerations regarding the member's position? Yes. Did we pay money in advance justified by the activities related to to the member's positions? Too. Like everywhere. It is fair."
Rajoy went on to respond to the critics regarding his late appearance in the parliament: "It's not my duty to prove the falseness of what other say. In a democracy things work the other way around. Those who accuse have to prove their statements. The accused one does not have to prove his innocence. He is presumably innocent."
Rajoy was forced to appear in the parliament after the opposition demanded answers to the scandal, if Rajoy refused, he faced a motion of no confidence. The President accused the opposition of threatening him and spreading uncertainty and instability among international markets.
The leader of the opposition, Javier Perez Rubalcaba, demanded his Rajoy's resignation and accused Rajoy of lying. Rajoy's appearance has not assuaged doubts regarding his innocence, following allegations made by Luis Barcenas. Barcenas is currently in prison while under investigation for tax offences and capital evasion. He has stated that he regularly handed under the table payments of cash to the main members of the party, including the Spanish President, over many years.
01:18Spain: Rajoy defends himself against accusations in parliament
The Spanish President Mariano Rajoy was in Madrid to defend himself in parliament on Thursday from the accusations of corruption made by the former treasurer of the Popular Party, Luis Barcenas.
Rajoy recognised he made a mistake: "I regret it, but it is the way it is. I made a mistake. I was wrong when I kept my trust on someone [Luis Barcenas], who did not deserve it, as we know now."
Rajoy denied all accusations of illegal financing of the party but did recognise that some members received extra pay: "In the Popular Party, there was not a second accounting and we have not hidden any misdemeanour. Did we pay salaries? Yes. Did we pay complimentary remunerations regarding the member's position? Yes. Did we pay money in advance justified by the activities related to to the member's positions? Too. Like everywhere. It is fair."
Rajoy went on to respond to the critics regarding his late appearance in the parliament: "It's not my duty to prove the falseness of what other say. In a democracy things work the other way around. Those who accuse have to prove their statements. The accused one does not have to prove his innocence. He is presumably innocent."
Rajoy was forced to appear in the parliament after the opposition demanded answers to the scandal, if Rajoy refused, he faced a motion of no confidence. The President accused the opposition of threatening him and spreading uncertainty and instability among international markets.
The leader of the opposition, Javier Perez Rubalcaba, demanded his Rajoy's resignation and accused Rajoy of lying. Rajoy's appearance has not assuaged doubts regarding his innocence, following allegations made by Luis Barcenas. Barcenas is currently in prison while under investigation for tax offences and capital evasion. He has stated that he regularly handed under the table payments of cash to the main members of the party, including the Spanish President, over many years.