Portugal's socialist leader says truth will out on testifying in pedophile probe
RDP Antena 1 radio, Lisbon
The leader of Portugal's opposition Socialist Party, Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, said on Wednesday that he had emerged from giving testimony in an inquiry into an alleged child sex ring, more confident that the truth would be established. He made it clear that there was no question of resigning.
"I went in to testify with total confidence that the truth will be ascertained, and I left with the strengthened certainty that the truth will be fully established," he said at a press conference in the Portuguese parliament after a six-hour session, at his own request, with Assistant Attorney-General Joao Guerra, in remarks broadcast live by Portuguese radio.
"I wanted to provide a full account of all the information I have on this case, which I believe will contribute towards justice being done. It was a very productive meeting and a very relevant one for the pursuit of the truth to the ultimate consequences and in all of its aspects," Mr Ferro Rodrigues added.
"For this reason I can also say that I went in confident that the law-based state and the legal system would continue to pursue the full investigation of the Casa Pia [network of state-run orphanages] affair and would establish the identity of the true culprits in the extremely grave crime of sexual abuse of minors and children. I came out with my confidence strengthened," the Socialist leader said.
He repeated his belief in the innocence of his party spokesman Paulo Pedroso, who was arrested two weeks ago, though not charged so far, as part of the investigation. As social security minister from 2001 to 2002, Paulo Pedroso had responsibility for the Casa Pia system.
"I went in convinced of the innocence of the parliamentary deputy Paulo Pedroso, and I came out with the same absolute and unswerving conviction," Mr Ferro Rodrigues said. I went in determined to lay criminal charges against the author or authors of such an infamous slander once the case is no longer sub judice. I came out more determined than ever to do so. I stand by everything I have said regarding this case."
"I am now happier and absolutely convinced that justice will be done and that the law-based state will emerge stronger from this affair," he added. "And as is absolutely natural, I reiterate that the Socialist Party can today, as in the past, continue to count on me totally as its Secretary General, and that the Portuguese can continue to count on me and on the PS to defend - at present from the opposition benches - their interests and to serve them always as a democratic reference point for the sake of a more developed, more just and more socially supportive country. Thank you very much," Mr Ferro Rodrigues concluded, leaving the room without answering any questions.