PALMA
THE Partido Popular yesterday sprang to the defense of its former party leader and ex-President of the Balearics, Jaume Matas, who has been summoned to appear before a Palma court by the judge investigating the alleged corrupt construction of the Palma Arena velodrome during the Matas legislature.
Spokesperson for the PP here in the Balearics, Toni Fuster, defended Matas and also ruled out an internal investigation being launched into the former leader of the Balearics' financial affairs. The fraud squad are investigating the alleged misappropriation of the estimated 60 million euros of the public funds the velodrome project ran over budget and Matas's wife, two relations and the President of the Gesa-Endesa, Bartomeu Reus, have also been summoned to appear next March.
The PP maintains that Matas, who has yet to be charged with anything, will at least have the opportunity to answer his critics and explain his situation. Matas continues to be an innocent and free person and he has the right to defend himself wherever he considers opportune, the PP proclaimed yesterday.
Matas's successor, President Francesc Antich, yesterday said that he is neither happy nor unhappy over the news that Matas has been summoned.
Antich said that he has total respect for the judiciary.