Sócrates accuses tabloid of persecution

Former PM José Sócrates has complained he is being persecuted by the country’s tabloid Correio da Manhã which this week revealed the serious crimes squad is investigating credit card payments made during his time in power. The investigation was prompted by a complaint made by the judges’ syndicate ASJP over credit card payments made with public funds by ministers and secretaries of state. Sócrates however told Lusa news agency this week that he has “never used a credit card of the State while in service”.