Portuguese Socialist MP denies involvement in paedophile case

RDP Antena 1 radio, Lisbon

[Presenter] Socialist Party [PS] spokesman and MP Paulo Pedroso, the number two man of the main opposition party, was earlier today held by police in connection with the Casa Pia children's home paedophilia case. The PS has convened a news conference which is starting.

[Pedroso in progress] I want to say that I will ask parliament for the full lifting of my parliamentary immunity and that if I am not granted this I will immediately request that my mandate as MP be suspended. I am going through a terrible time. But I am fully aware of how over-used and discredited claims of innocence have become. However, I have a duty to say these words to my family, my friends and my Socialist Party comrades: I have never participated in any paedophile act or in any similar act. I am completely available to provide any information about my entire life which the justice system may require. But I feel I have a right to demand that the whole truth will be revealed. It is not enough to be declared innocent - as I will be because I believe in the justice system of a democratic Portugal. I will not stop fighting, for as long as it takes, by all means at my disposal, to ensure that those responsible for this shameful slander are identified, brought to trial and punished. Nothing will probably repair the harm which someone has wanted to cause me. The only thing I am entitled to, as any other citizen is, is the right to know the truth, the whole truth. I do not ask for any more or any less than any citizen is entitled to: a right to his good name, the right to protect his family and the right to the truth. I have informed the [PS] secretary-general of my decision to suspend as of this moment all my party posts until the whole truth has been found. I believe that slander of this seriousness must not go unpunished. It is now up to the justice system of my country, the only protection I want, to find the truth, the whole truth.

[Reporter] ... Dr Ferro Rodrigues [PS leader], I think you are experiencing something you did not expect. Are you certain of Dr Paulo Pedroso's innocence?

[Rodrigues] I am absolutely certain. I express my full solidarity with Dr Paulo Pedroso. I am indignant about what is happening but I am very determined not to give up and to fight to the end so that the whole truth comes to light. The Socialist Party National Secretariat will meet this afternoon and I will not make any further statements now.