THERE WERE tears and recriminations yesterday morning in the Valencian parliament when the president, Francisco Camps, finally and reluctantly gave in to pressure from Madrid to sack “temporarily” his close friend the Valencian Popular Party secretary general Ricardo Costa, who is accused of corruption.
It is the latest chapter in an unpleasant row which has been simmering over recent months, with accusations of bribery and corruption involving the dapper Mr Camps and his regional government – many of whom are alleged to have received valuable gifts of cars, expensive watches and jewellery and luxury holidays in exchange for lucrative contracts.
Earlier this summer President Camps faced charges of receiving €30,000 worth of hand-made suits and jackets paid for by another friend, well-known fixer Alvaro Perez, alias El Bigotes (moustaches), who has been in jail since last spring. Although two Madrid outfitters provided receipts and incriminating evidence, the presiding judge – who admitted being a “close friend” of Mr Camps – acquitted him.
One of El Bigotes’s companies was awarded contracts worth almost €8 million by the Valencian government, including one to design and build the Valencia pavilion in Fitur, the international travel and tourism fair, for four consecutive years.
But if Mr Camps escaped prosecution over his wardrobe, escape is not proving so simple for his government, the Valencia Popular Party and Mr Costa.
Investigations into bribery and corruption involving PP officials in Valencia, Madrid and other parts of the country have been under way since the beginning of the year. Although some of the money and gifts found their way into the pockets and bank accounts of officials, it appears that much of it was used for raising illegal funds for PP.
In July PP treasurer Senator Luis Barcenas was forced to resign, along with two other regional politicians, for taking bribes in exchange for contracts to favour Francisco Correa, alias don Vito. During his dealings with don Vito, Mr Barcenas is alleged to have accumulated a large property portfolio, including luxury apartments in Madrid, in the ski resort of Baqueira-Beret and a large villa in Marbella.
Yesterday Jaume Matas, former PP president of the autonomous government of Baleares, his wife and other members of his family, were summoned to answer questions over the Palma Arenas velodrome scandal when almost €1.5 million disappeared.
Although Spain’s political parties enjoy considerable regional autonomy the final decisions on policy and discipline should rest with Madrid. But the latest corruption scandals have thrown the PP into disarray, and the leadership of its president, Mariano Rajoy, is being questioned after he passed the buck to party general Maria Dolores de Cospedal.
Last week, when Mrs Cospedal ordered President Camps to dismiss Mr Costa from his government he ignored her. In an emotional statement on Tuesday Mr Costa denied any involvement in corruption and threatened to tell all he knew if he was sacked. It was only when Madrid threatened to expel Mr Camps from the party and after a long night of negotiations that Mr Costa, in a flood of tears, agree to step down.
Few believe we have seen the end of the matter.