After days of spiralling controversy, António Costa’s deputy secretary of state Miguel Alves has resigned from the government. His resignation has been accepted by both the PM and President Marcelo. The deciding moment came when the ‘arguido’ in two investigations into alleged municipal corruption was formally accused by the Public Ministry for ‘prevarication’ (a crime committed in public office). Mr Alves has stressed that he has a “clear conscience” and is “absolutely convinced of the legality of all the decisions” made while he was mayor of Caminha town council (the period that relates to the two investigations in which he is an arguido).
