Spain premier denies knowledge of any slush fund in his party

San Fernando de Henares, Spain

MARIANO Rajoy on Wednesday denied any knowledge of an illegal financing scheme within his conservative People's Party (PP) as he became the first sitting prime minister in Spain to give evidence in a trial.

Mr Rajoy's appearance at the corruption trial as a witness turns the spotlight back on the long-running graft scandals that have tainted his party at a delicate time, as he no longer enjoys a majority in Parliament. He is not accused of wrongdoing.